Health in ultra endurance events: SUMMIT Lab® Project

Abstract

High-intensity physical activity for an extended period of time could result in unhealthy disruptions to physiological systems. The main goal of the SUMMIT Lab® is to offer to ultra-endurance athletes an assessment of the impact of training with biochemical comparison of pre- and after-race measurements through biochemical (markers of muscle damage, immunity status and cardiovascular system) and physiological responses [localized muscle bioimpedance (LBIA)], cardiac function and differential gene expression. Samples were obtained from 300 participants who completed ultra-distance runs in Europe from 2012 to 2016. We found: (1) CK levels provide a gross indication of muscle-fiber damage but are not specific, they can’t identify the extent of the injury or the type of fibers affected; (2) LBIA serves to track the effects of training or a race on muscle damage, and enables longitudinal assessment of muscle injury through recovery and return to training. (3) Some individuals showed worse right ventricle adaptation during exercise independent from the training volume done or the elite profile. (4) Elite performance is mainly related with training. We have evidence that we can measure quantitatively the effect of training through a specific gene expression profile. Possible additional applications include runners, soccer, army physical condition, among others.