In his “sweat science” column, Alex Hutchinson reported on some current research that give an replace on the query of whether or not there are well being points related to extreme endurance coaching. I’ve mentioned this beforehand (right here, right here, and right here) it being a matter of some curiosity to me as I wish to endurance practice lots. The primary research is a current one from Solar-Yat-Sen Univerity in China [1]. This confirms that though those that do a excessive quantity of endurance train are likely to have larger calcium scores of their coronary arteries (a sign of arterial plaque), it’s a benign situation as a result of the plaque tends to be steady. This newest research reveals that on long-term follow-up, the high-volume athletes don’t have any larger danger of hostile cardiac occasions.
A second research [2] disputes the “J-curve” that has been beforehand reported for all-cause mortality vs. the quantity of train. It’s well-known that train reduces the chance of mortality, however some earlier research have proven that the chance of loss of life goes again up for excessive quantities of train. That is controversial as some research have discovered this impact however others haven’t. The brand new research highlights a flaw within the methodology of the earlier research that detected a J-curve. Relatively than observe the precise ongoing train habits of the individuals being adopted, the earlier outcomes estimated the quantity of bodily exercise simply based mostly on a questionnaire administered at the start of the research. Within the current research, the quantity of train was repeatedly tracked for over 30 years in a big (greater than 100,000) pattern of individuals. The “J-curve” was not discovered: train reduces the chance of all-cause mortality, together with excessive volumes of train.
I nonetheless wish to hedge my bets on this. I do a excessive quantity of train however a big proportion of it’s at comparatively low depth, extra like brisk strolling or equal. I do train at larger intensities, however at a decrease quantity. As I’ve mentioned beforehand (right here and right here) this can be a good mixture of train for efficient coaching, well being advantages, and leisure.
References
- Gao J, Hao Q, Lu L, et al, “Associations of long-term bodily exercise trajectories with coronary artery calcium development and heart problems occasions: outcomes from the CARDIA research”, British Journal of Sports activities Drugs 2022.
- Hoong Lee, D, et al, “Lengthy-Time period Leisure-Time Bodily Exercise Depth and All-Trigger and Trigger-Particular Mortality: A Potential Cohort of US Adults”. Circulation. 2022.