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June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

Pushing the limits: cardiovascular and functional profiles of marathon and ultramarathon endurance runners

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Population

72 amateur endurance runners assessed between 2024 and 2025 at a sports cardiology reference center.

Comparison

Ultramarathon running vs Marathon running

Design

Cohort

Key result

Amateur endurance runners demonstrate heterogeneous cardiovascular profiles, with a substantial burden of dyslipidaemia and a notable prevalence of exercise-induced arrhythmias in both groups.

Authors

KNK NascimentoJCJ T D R C CrusoeMSM F S Smaniotto

Discussion

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Overview

May support pre-participation screening in amateur endurance runners; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation.

Key Points

  • This research aims to understand the cardiovascular characteristics and functional performance of marathon and ultramarathon runners, focusing on comorbidities.
  • Retrospective observational registry of 72 amateur endurance runners assessed at a sports cardiology center between 2024 and 2025.
  • Data extracted included demographics, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, coronary artery calcium scoring, and treadmill exercise tests.
  • Athletes were categorized into marathon and ultramarathon groups for comparative analysis.
  • Among marathoners, 12% had high cardiovascular risk. Left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%) was preserved in 71%.
  • In ultramarathoners, all had preserved ejection fraction, with 35% showing dyslipidaemia and no cases of diabetes or coronary disease.
  • Exercise-induced arrhythmias were noted in 20% of marathoners and 17% of ultramarathoners, showing variations in cardiovascular profiles despite fitness.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=72)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P
Population
72 amateur marathon and ultramarathon runners evaluated at a sports cardiology reference center between 2024 and 2025 to describe cardiovascular characteristics and functional performance.
E
Exposure
Ultramarathon running
C
Comparator
Marathon running
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular characteristics, comorbidity burden, and functional performance

Amateur endurance runners, despite high fitness levels, have a substantial burden of cardiovascular risk factors like dyslipidemia and exercise-induced arrhythmias, highlighting the need for structured cardiovascular assessment.

Cite This Study

Nascimento et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Amateur endurance runners (n=72). Ultramarathon running vs. Marathon running was evaluated on Cardiovascular characteristics, comorbidity burden and functional performance. Amateur endurance runners demonstrate heterogeneous cardiovascular profiles, with a substantial burden of dyslipidaemia and a notable prevalence of exercise-induced arrhythmias in both groups.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd11d6550ea4541ffe8ffhttps://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.151
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Beyond performance: uncovering cardiometabolic and imaging profiles in female athletes2026
  2. 2Echocardiographic characteristics in middle-aged amateur ultra-trailers2026
  3. 3Prevalence and determinants of arrhythmias before and during a Marathon in male Master athletes2026
  4. 4Adaptive Changes in Endurance Athletes: A Review of Molecular, Echocardiographic and Electrocardiographic Findings2025 · 8 citations
  5. 5Acute Effects of Marathon and Ultramarathon Running on Body Composition in Trained Male Athletes2025