Observational studyNutrients2025
Does Distance Matter? Metabolic and Muscular Challenges of a Non-Stop Ultramarathon with Sub-Analysis Depending on Running Distance.
Observational study in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- The Effects of Different Dietary and Glycogen-Loaded Two-a-Day Training Approaches on Muscle Damage and Inflammatory Markers for Enhancing Metabolic Efficiency.Metabolites · 2026Article
- Endocannabinoid dynamics across marathon and ultramarathon running: evidence from two field studies.BMC medicine · 2026Article
- Concurrent inflammatory, hemorheological and macrovascular responses to a 230-km ultramarathon: an exploratory study.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Glucose dynamics during ultramarathon running: a multi-phase framework and implications for late-stage glucose elevations.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Review
- (Ultra-)inflammation or adaptation? Comparison of different ultramarathon distances and their effect on the immune system.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundUltramarathon running represents an extreme physiological and metabolic challenge. Despite its growing popularity among recreational and competitive runners, evidence-based guidance for nutrition, energy balance, and recovery remains limited. Understanding metabolic response and hormonal regulation during such events is crucial for improving athletes' health and performance.
methodsThis prospective observational study examined participants of the 2024 TorTour de Ruhr
resultsOf the 43 ultra runners (16 women, 27 men), 39 finished the race: 19 participants of the 100 km group, 8 of the 160.9 km group, and 16 of the 230 km group. Mean energy deficit was 6797 kcal (range: 417-18,364 kcal) with carbohydrate-dominant fueling (79%). Significant reductions in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin, glucagon, CKM, and LDH were observed, indicating disrupted energy homeostasis and muscle damage. The 230 km subgroup showed the greatest changes. Gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal symptoms increased post-race, aligning with biomarker patterns.
conclusionsUltramarathon participation induces profound disturbances in metabolic and structural integrity, regardless of race distance. These findings underline the importance of developing individualized nutritional and recovery strategies and highlight the need for future research to investigate how energy deficit and macronutrient composition interact to influence metabolic strain and post-race recovery.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.