Earlier research found that ultramarathon runners often experience a breakdown of healthy red blood cells during races, which can potentially lead to anemia. However, scientists have not fully understood why this happens. The new study found that after prolonged races, red blood cells become less flexible. Because these cells must bend to pass through tiny blood vessels while delivering oxygen and removing waste, reduced flexibility may limit their efficiency. The team also created the most detailed molecular profile to date showing how endurance races alter red blood cells.
"Participating in events like these can cause general inflammation in the body and damage red blood cells," said the study's lead author, Travis Nemkov, PhD, associate professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado Anschutz.
"Based on these data, we don't have guidance as to whether people should or should not participate in these types of events; what we can say is, when they do, that persistent stress is damaging the most abundant cell in the body."
Read Full Article Here
