Ann Rehabil Med.  2012 Feb;36(1):80-87. 10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.80.

Effect of Ultra-marathon (308 km) Race on Bone Metabolism and Cartilage Damage Biomarkers

• Shin KA
• Kim AC
• Kim YJ
• Lee YH
• Shin YO
• Kim SH
• Park YS
• Nam HS
• Kim T
• Kim HS
• Park Y

• KMID: 2266784
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.80

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential effects of a 308-km ultra-marathon on bone and cartilage biomarkers. METHOD: Venous blood samples were collected at pre-race, 100 km, 200 km, and 308 km checkpoints. The following markers of cartilage damage and bone metabolism were studied: osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and calcium, phosphorous, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).
RESULTS
Blood samples were taken from 20 male runners at four different checkpoints. Serum COMP was increased by 194.1% (130.7% at 100 km and 160.4% at 200 km). Serum OPG was significantly increased by 158.57% at 100 km and 114.1% at 200 km compared to the pre-race measures. OC was transiently suppressed at 200 km. Serum calcium and phosphorous concentrations decreased compared to the pre-race measures.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that the 308-km ultra-marathon induced several changes, including transient uncoupling of bone metabolism, increased bone resorption, suppressed bone formation, and bone turnover and had a major impact on cartilage structure.

Keyword

Ultra-marathon; Osteoprotegerin; COMP; Osteocalcin

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers
Bone Resorption
Calcium
Cartilage
Continental Population Groups
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Glycoproteins
Humans
Male
Osteocalcin
Osteogenesis
Osteoprotegerin
Calcium
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Glycoproteins
Osteocalcin
Osteoprotegerin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Changes in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein during the marathon. a: Significant difference compared to the prerace value; b: significant difference compared to the 100-km value. ††p<0.001 and †p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 2 Changes in osteoprotegerin during the marathon. a: Significant difference compared to the pre-race value; b: significant difference compared to the 100-km value. ††p<0.001 and †p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 3 Changes in osteocalcin during the marathon. a: Significant difference compared to the pre-race value; c: significant difference compared to the 200-km value. ††p<0.001 and †p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 4 Changes in calcium during the marathon. a: Significant difference compared to the pre-race value; b: significant difference compared to the 100-km point; c: significant difference compared to the 200-km value. ††p<0.001 and †p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 5 Changes in phosphorus during the marathon. a: Significant difference compared to the pre-race value; b: significant difference compared to the 100-km value. ††p<0.001.

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