Author: Ofer

Blood Pressure in Athletes and Runners

It has been well established in countless studies that moderate levels of routine aerobic exercise can help decrease blood pressure in populations with high or normal blood pressure.(1) The American Academy of Family Physicians cites the prevalence of hypertension in fit individual is about half of the general population, but adds that some athletes may have an increased risk of hypertension.(2)

 

Other studies indicate the systolic blood pressure (top number) is elevated during exercise and after exercise for about 2 hours. After the 2 hour mark the blood pressure tends to stay lower for 1 to 3 days.  (3,4) After 3 days the effects of exercise tends to diminish. Because of the diminished effect, experts agree that moderate aerobic exercise on most days of the week is important to maximize the benefits for blood pressure reduction.

Does type and volume of exercise impact blood pressure?

A recent review paper found that endurance trained athletes have a lower blood pressure compared to strength based athletes. (5)   The National Runners’ Health Study , a cross-sectional study conducted in 1997 concluded that runners averaging 50 miles per week or more had slightly lower blood pressures levels than those running less than 50 miles per week and that running in general lowered blood pressure.(6) This type of study design shows correlation but does not prove causation.
For now, the most recent data suggest that moderate amount of aerobic exercise (including running) is beneficial for blood pressure health.

 

Looking to optimize your performance for your next race?
We specialize in biomarker analysis aimed directly towards improving athletic performance. Learn more about our panels here.
  1. Vasan RS, B. A. S. S. L. M. K. W. D. R. L. D. Residual lifetime risk for developing hypertension in middle-aged women and men: The Framingham Heart Study. JAMA.,2002 Feb 27;287(8):1003-10.
  2. The American Academy of Family Physicians: Managing Hypertension in Athletes and Physically Active Patients (https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0801/p445.html)
  3. Ruivo JA, Alcantara P. Hypertension and exercise. Rev Port Cardiol.2012 Feb;31(2):151-8. doi: 10.1016/j.repc.2011.12.012. Epub 2012 Jan 10.
  4. Whelton SP, Chin A, Xin X, He J. Effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med. 2002 Apr 2;136(7):493-503.
  5. Berge HM et al.  Blood pressure in elite athletes: A systematic review, Br J Sports Med. (2015)
  6. Williams PT,Relationship of Distance Run per Week to Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in 8283 Male Runners The National Runners’ Health Study, Arch Intern Med. 1997 Jan 27; 157(2): 191–198.

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Written on March 18, 2019
By Ofer

Hemoglobin levels for runners

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cell that help transport oxygen. Many athletes, especially runners and other endurance athletes are concerned about their iron levels. This is because iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin. Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels decrease below normal range, with the most common cause being iron-deficiency. For a more detailed description of iron deficiency in endurance athletes read our blog post here.
hemoglobin levels in runners

How does running impact hemoglobin levels?

Endurance training increases production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, along with an increase in plasma levels (the fluid that transports cells in the blood). (1,4) Often the plasma levels increase more than hemoglobin production in runners and endurance athletes, the concentration of hemoglobin may temporarily decrease.(2,5) Alternatively, dehydration and sweat from exercise can show up as a temporary rise in hemoglobin. (3) Variation in hemoglobin can occur due to many factors, it is important to interpret hemoglobin values alongside other biomarkers such as red blood cells, hematocrit, iron, ferritin and other micronutrients essential in red blood cell production.

Interested in finding out your hemoglobin levels and related biomarkers?

We specialize in biomarker analysis aimed directly towards improving athletic performance for runners and endurance athletes. Our experts analyze your hemoglobin levels along with other key biomarkers. Learn more about our panels here.

  1. Mairbaurl H. Red blood cells in sports: effects of exercise and training on oxygen supply by red blood cells. Frontiers in Physiology. 2013;4:332. doi:10.3389/fphys.2013.00332.
  2. Bartsch, P.; Mairbaurl, H.; Friedmann, B., Pseudo-anemia caused by sports. Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique 1998, 55 (4), 251-255.
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-hemoglobin-count/basics/causes/sym-20050862
  4. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Giovanni_Lombardi/publication/235795326_Reticulocytes_in_Sports_Medicine_An_Update/links/56f2b0a508aeb55674eb510a/Reticulocytes-in-Sports-Medicine-An-Update.pdf?origin=publication_detail
  5. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-010-1641-1

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Written on March 5, 2019
By Ofer