Evaluation of the Heart Function of Swimmers Subjected to Exhaustive Repetitive Endurance Efforts During a 500-km Relay

Gajda, Robert; Kowalik, Ewa; Rybka, S.; Rębowska, Ewa; Śmigielski, Witold; Nowak, Michał S.; Kwaśniewska, Magdalena; Hoffmań, Piotr; Drygas, Wojciech

doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00296

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Exercise intensity is well-reflected by heart rate monitors used by many athletes. These monitors accurately determine the heart rate, thus allowing athletes and coaches to determine the intensity of effort throughout the various phases of a run [38][39][40].…”

Section: How Much Physical Activity Is Too Much or Too Little?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heart of the World’s Top Ultramarathon Runner—Not Necessarily Much Different from Normal

Gajda¹,

Klisiewicz

Matsibora

et al. 2020

Diagnostics

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The impact of ultramarathon (UM) runs on the organs of competitors, especially elite individuals, is poorly understood. We tested a 36-year-old UM runner before, 1–2 days after, and 10–11 days after winning a 24-h UM as a part of the Polish Championships (258.228 km). During each testing session, we performed an electrocardiogram (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS), and blood tests. Initially, increased cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were identified. The day after the UM, increased levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, fibrinogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, and N-terminal type B natriuretic propeptide were observed. Additionally, decreases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, cholesterol, LDL-C, and hyponatremia were observed. On day 10, all measurements returned to normal levels, and cholesterol and LDL-C returned to their baseline abnormal values. ECG, TTE, MRI, and 31P MRS remained within the normal ranges, demonstrating physiological adaptation to exercise. The transient changes in laboratory test results were typical for the extreme efforts of the athlete and most likely reflected transient but massive striated muscle damage, liver cell damage, activation of inflammatory processes, effects on the coagulation system, exercise-associated hyponatremia, and cytoprotective or growth-regulatory effects. These results indicated that many years of intensive endurance training and numerous UMs (including the last 24-h UM) did not have a permanent adverse effect on this world-class UM runner’s body and heart. Transient post-competition anomalies in laboratory test results were typical of those commonly observed after UM efforts.

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Section: How Much Physical Activity Is Too Much or Too Little?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heart of the World’s Top Ultramarathon Runner—Not Necessarily Much Different from Normal

Gajda¹,

Klisiewicz

Matsibora

et al. 2020

Diagnostics

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“…We have not found similar data in the available scientific literature. Apart from IOP, we monitored several important vital functions, including cardiological, biochemical, and hemostatic changes, during the event; those results have been published elsewhere [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it should be noted that only a few amateur swimmers are physically and mentally prepared to perform similar strenuous, repeated endurance efforts in very difficult environmental conditions. We used a unique opportunity to monitor several important physiological and biochemical parameters in female and male participants of this unusual charitable 500-km swim relay [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of repeated endurance exercise on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects: a prospective pilot study based on a 500-km swim relay

Nowak¹,

Gajda²,

Drygas³

et al. 2020

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Aim of the study: To investigate exercise-related changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy participants of a 500-km swim relay. Material and methods: A group of 12 well-trained amateur swimmers aged 13-67 years participated in a 500-km swim relay in the Warta River, Poland. Each participant underwent detailed clinical examinations, including IOP and central corneal thickness measurements, 2-3 weeks before the relay (baseline) and at peak effort (10 min after the last shift). A baseline maximal treadmill exercise test was also conducted for measurement of the maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2) and metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values. Results: None of the athletes (12 eyes) exhibited significant changes in IOP at peak effort (mean change from 14.3 to 15.4 mmHg, p > 0.05). Six male subjects exhibited an exercise-induced mean increase in IOP at peak effort, from 15.6 to 18.5 mmHg (6 eyes, p < 0.05). In six female subjects, the peak effort was not associated with significant IOP changes; IOP mean declined slightly from 13.0 to 12.3 mmHg (6 eyes, p > 0.05). IOP parameters, including the pressure at rest, pressure at peak effort, and pressure change, showed no significant correlations with cardiorespiratory aerobic fitness determined by VO 2 and MET. Conclusions: This pilot study did not reveal changes in IOP among well-trained amateur athletes in response to prolonged vigorous swimming. These results, as well as sex-specific differences, in IOP changes at peak effort due to the small sample size must be confirmed by examinations in a larger group.

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“…In our previous papers, we analyzed several factors related to physiological and biochemical adaptation to extreme endurance exercise in order to demonstrate that organism of elite, endurance-trained athletes is able to adapt to strenuous long-lasting run (marathon, UM, triathlon) or swimming [ 15 , 16 ]. In some of our previous publications, we used the unique occasion to analyze various aspects of adaptation to 24-h UM in an elite runner, a previous winner of several prestigious international UM during the National Championship in 24-h run [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To Be a Champion of the 24-h Ultramarathon Race. If Not the Heart ... Mosaic Theory?

Gajda¹,

Samełko

Czuba

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This comprehensive case analysis aimed to identify the features enabling a runner to achieve championship in 24-h ultramarathon (UM) races. A 36-year-old, multiple medalist of the World Championships in 24-h running, was assessed before, one and 10 days after a 24-h run. Results of his extensive laboratory and cardiological diagnostics with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a one-time cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were analyzed. After 12 h of running (approximately 130 km), the athlete experienced an increasing pain in the right knee. His baseline clinical data were within the normal range. High physical efficiency in CPET (VO2max 63 mL/kg/min) was similar to the average achieved by other ultramarathoners who had significantly worse results. Thus, we also performed genetic tests and assessed his psychological profile, body composition, and markers of physical and mental stress (serotonin, cortisol, epinephrine, prolactin, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone). The athlete had a mtDNA haplogroup H (HV0a1 subgroup, belonging to the HV cluster), characteristic of athletes with the highest endurance. Psychological studies have shown high and very high intensity of the properties of individual scales of the tools used mental resilience (62–100% depending on the scale), openness to experience (10th sten), coherence (10th sten), positive perfectionism (100%) and overall hope for success score (10th sten). The athlete himself considers the commitment and mental support of his team to be a significant factor of his success. Body composition assessment (%fat 13.9) and the level of stress markers were unremarkable. The tested athlete showed a number of features of the champions of ultramarathon runs, such as: inborn predispositions, mental traits, level of training, and resistance to pain. However, none of these features are reserved exclusively for “champions”. Team support’s participation cannot be underestimated. The factors that guarantee the success of this elite 24-h UM runner go far beyond physiological and psychological explanations. Further studies are needed to identify individual elements of the putative “mosaic theory of being a champion”.

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Evaluation of the Heart Function of Swimmers Subjected to Exhaustive Repetitive Endurance Efforts During a 500-km Relay

Cited by 18 publications

References 43 publications

Heart of the World’s Top Ultramarathon Runner—Not Necessarily Much Different from Normal

Heart of the World’s Top Ultramarathon Runner—Not Necessarily Much Different from Normal

Effect of repeated endurance exercise on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects: a prospective pilot study based on a 500-km swim relay

To Be a Champion of the 24-h Ultramarathon Race. If Not the Heart ... Mosaic Theory?

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