Effects of ultramarathon performance on mitochondrial respiration in human platelets - a project summary

Additional see abstract of MiPconference 2015: [[1]]

Introduction

Methods

Competition and participants

To enhance the chance for possible effects, a rather challenging competition with a total distance of 68 kilometer and approximately 4500 meter of ascent was chosen. Having the opportunity to choose their start time unfettered between 3 and 5am in Gmunden/Austria, the course was set around the lake "Traunsee", crossing all peaks around it.

Being hobby athletes, participants exhibited a mean BMI of 24,9 kg/m² and an average age of 39,9 years (n=10). The average speed of 5 km/h and a heart rate of 134 bpm during the race gave rise to finish the competition in 12,9 hours, whereas individual finish times were rather divergent (min: 9,7 h; max: 16,1 h).

Pic. 2: start during the night

Pic. 3: somewhere on the course

preliminary results of platelet respiration

discussion