Abstract
Objectives
Although alternating run/walk-periods are often recommended to novice runners, it
is unclear, if this particular pacing strategy reduces the cardiovascular stress during
prolonged exercise. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of
two different running strategies on selected cardiac biomarkers as well as marathon
performance.
Design
Randomized experimental trial in a repeated measure design.
Methods
Male (n = 22) and female subjects (n = 20) completed a marathon either with a run/walk strategy or running only. Immediately
after crossing the finishing line cardiac biomarkers were assessed in blood taken
from the cubital vein. Before (−7 days) and after the marathon (+4 days) subjects
also completed an incremental treadmill test.
Results
Despite different pacing strategies, run/walk strategy and running only finished the
marathon with similar times (04:14:25 ± 00:19:51 vs 04:07:40 ± 00:27:15 [hh:mm:ss]; p = 0.377). In both groups, prolonged exercise led to increased B-type natriuretic peptide,
creatine kinase MB isoenzyme and myoglobin levels (p < 0.001), which returned to baseline 4 days after the marathon. Elevated cTnI concentrations
were observable in only two subjects. B-type natriuretic peptide (r = −0.363; p = 0.041) and myoglobin levels (r = −0.456; p = 0.009) were inversely correlated with the velocity at the individual anaerobic threshold.
Run/walk strategy compared to running only reported less muscle pain and fatigue (p = 0.006) after the running event.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the increase in cardiac biomarkers is a reversible, physiological response
to strenuous exercise, indicating temporary stress on the myocyte and skeletal muscle.
Although a combined run/walk strategy does not reduce the load on the cardiovascular
system, it allows non-elite runners to achieve similar finish times with less (muscle)
discomfort.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 13, 2014
Accepted:
November 7,
2014
Received in revised form:
October 15,
2014
Received:
September 2,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
