Comparison of Changes in Glucose and Lipid Parameters Associated with Three Types of Long-Distance Running

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate biochemical markers of blood glucose and blood lipids associated with extreme long-distance running races (marathon, 100 km, 308 km). Methods: The participants were 45 middle-aged male runners: 15 corresponding to each distance. All participants performed graded exercise tests before the races. Blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were analyzed by blood collection before and after the races to identify differences between the groups and before and after the races. Results: No differences were found in blood glucose levels before and after all races, as well as between the groups. TC levels decreased only after the 308-km race, and this decrease was lower than the differences after the marathon and 100-km races. TG levels decreased after all three races and were lower after the 100-km and 308-km races than that after the marathon race. HDL-C levels showed no differences after the marathon race but increased after the 100-km and 308-km races, with higher levels after the 308-km race than those after the marathon and 100-km races. LDL-C levels increased after the marathon race, but decreased after the 308-km race, with lower levels after the 308-km race than those after the marathon and 100-km races. Conclusion: The 308-km race was associated with decreases in TC, TG, and LDL-C levels and an increase in HDL-C levels, indicating that exercise time may have a positive effect on lipid metabolism rather than exercise intensity.