Effect of Long-Duration Adventure Races on Cardiac Damage Biomarker Release and Muscular Function in Young Athletes
Authors: Pierre Bourdier
Virgile Amiot
S√©bastien Ratel
Alexandre Dodu
Anthony Birat
Claire Grossoeuvre
St√©phane Nottin
Anthony J Blazevich
Anne-Charlotte Dupont
Journal: Frontiers in Physiology (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: adolescence; cardiac impairment; long duration exercise; muscle damage; wilderness multisport endurance events.
Affiliations: UFR STAPS - Laboratoire AME2P, Universit√© Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France., F√©d√©ration Fran√ßaise Triathlon, Saint-Denis, France., Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia., Service de M√©decine du Sport et d'Exploration Fonctionnelle Respiratoire, Centre Hospitalier R√©gional, Orl√©ans-La-Source, France., Laboratoire de Pharm-Ecologie Cardiovasculaire, Avignon Universit√©, Avignon, France.

Abstract:  The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 1- and 2-day adventure races on cardiac muscle damage and skeletal muscle soreness and function in young athletes. Twelve male trained adolescents (14-15 years) completed both 1-day (48.2 km) and 2-day (66.0 km) races that included trail running, mountain biking, kayaking, and in-line skating separated by 10 weeks. Myocardial damage biomarker concentrations (cTnI and CK-MB), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque, perceived knee extensor (KE) muscle soreness (PMS), and drop and squat jump heights were measured before and after each race. Heart rate was also monitored throughout. Mean heart rate (% cardiac reserve) was higher during the 1-day (66.6 ¬± 6.4%) than 2-day (62.6 ¬± 7.8%, p = 0.038) race. The amplitude of cardiac damage biomarker release was also higher following the 1-day than the 2-day race (peak cTnI: 0.14 vs. 0.03 ng/mL, p = 0.045; peak CK-MB: 20.30 vs. 11.98 ng/mL, p = 0.020). However, cardiac biomarker concentrations returned to baseline at 24-48 h post-exercise, except for CK-MB after the 2-day race (p = 0.017). Eight and three participants exceeded the cTnI cut-off for myocardial injury in 1- and 2-day races, respectively, but none exceeded the cut-off for acute myocardial infarction. While there was a significant decrease in drop jump height (-5.9%, p = 0.003), MVIC torque and squat jump height remained unchanged after both races. PMS was increased at 24 h after both races (p &lt; 0.001) but returned to baseline levels by 72 h post-race. In conclusion, the shorter, more intense race produced more cardiac damage, although this probably represents a standard exercise intensity-dependent response rather than pathological response. Skeletal muscle functional and soreness responses were moderate and similar between races. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The study is described as a prospective research in humans, performed in France. Medical and biologic parameters were collected such as : anthropometric measurements, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) or blood samples (to assess biomarkers). It is definitely a prospective research in human (RIPH) In France, all RIPHs (whatever the level) require the approval from a CPP before to start the recruitment of participants. Starting a prospective research in humans in France without a CPP is a serious breach to the Health French Law. Minors were included in this study. Minors are a vulnerable population and the French Health Law provides stricter requirements related to research in humans in this case. The ethic statement of this study is described as follows: * This study was approved by an Institutional Ethics Review Board [Comitu00e9 du2019u00c9thique pour la Recherche en Sciences et Techniques des Activitu00e9s Physiques et Sportives (CERSTAPS), no. 2018-08-06-24] and was conducted in conformity with the policy statement regarding the use of human subjects as outlined in the sixth Declaration of Helsinki. The young athletes were informed of the experimental procedures and gave their written assent before any testing was conducted. In addition, the written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of the participants. * The CERSTAPS is not a Comitu00e9 de Protection des Personnes (CPP). As mentioned on the [CERSTAPS website] itself, a prospective research in humans in France MUST obtain an approval from a CPP before to start. The ethics statement do not provide any information related to a CPP approval. Can the authors clarify: - If they obtain a CPP approval before to start the recruitment? - If they request a CPP approval? In this case, what was the answer of the CPP ? If a CPP provides a waiver for the approval, the article should mention it and detail the waiver in order to raise any question on ethics procedure. However, if the CPP approval or a waiver from a CPP has not been obtained, this is a major infringement to the Health French Law and the Declaration of Helsinki (article 23). ,