What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Healthy ultra-marathon runners (n=27). Intervention: 246 km ultra-marathon race vs. Pre-race baseline. Primary outcome: Left ventricular (LV) global strain (p=0.009).

What does this research mean for the field?

Despite subtle decreases in ventricular strain, four-chamber cardiac deformation and inter-chamber concordance remain within normal ranges following a 246 km ultra-marathon, likely due to the preservation of apical deformation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate how a 246 km ultra-marathon affects the deformation of cardiac chambers and their interrelationships.

July 1, 2026European Heart Journal

Impact of a 246 km ultra-marathon race on global and segmental longitudinal deformation of all cardiac chambers and on inter-chamber relationships

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Key result

Ultra-marathon running linked to mild reductions in LV and RV global strains within normal limits.

P=0.009
n=27

Why the study?

Does running a 246 km ultra-marathon alter global and segmental longitudinal deformation of cardiac chambers in athletes?

Population

27 athletes (17 male, age 45±7 years) who finished a 246 km ultra-marathon out of 60 initially screened

Comparison

Running a 246 km ultra-marathon ('Spartathlon') vs Pre-race baseline

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

Immediate post-race (after 33:34±1:59 hours of running)

Authors

EPE Pagourelias GCGeorgios A. ChristouUniversity of Ioannina MAMaria Anifanti

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Preserved apical strain after ultra-marathon suggests no acute clinical concern; leaves open long-term prognostic implications for athletes.

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate how a 246 km ultra-marathon affects the deformation of cardiac chambers and their interrelationships.
Echocardiographic assessment conducted before and after the Spartathlon ultra-marathon.
Used 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography to analyze deformation in all 4 cardiac chambers.
Sample comprised 27 finishing athletes with an average age of 45 years.
Left ventricular global strain decreased from −20.9±2.3% pre-race to −18.8±2% post-race (p=0.009).
Right ventricular global strain decreased from −22.9±3.6% pre-race to −21.2±3% post-race (p=0.04).
Atrial strains remained unchanged, with significant decreases in basal and mid segmental strain values.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=27)

Structured PICO

Does running a 246 km ultra-marathon alter global and segmental longitudinal deformation of cardiac chambers in athletes?

Population

27 athletes (mean age 45 years, 37% female) who completed a 246 km ultra-marathon, evaluated before and immediately after the race.

Exposure

Running a 246 km ultra-marathon ('Spartathlon')

Comparator

Pre-race baseline (echocardiographic assessment the day before the race)

Outcome

Global and segmental longitudinal deformation of all cardiac chambers and intra-, inter- and atrioventricular functional relationshipssurrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: -18.8% vs -20.9%

p-value: p=0.009

Running a 246 km ultra-marathon causes subtle decreases in LV and RV global strain that mostly remain within normal limits, largely due to preserved apical deformation.

Cite This Study

Pagourelias et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Healthy ultra-marathon runners (n=27). 246 km ultra-marathon race vs. Pre-race baseline was evaluated on Left ventricular (LV) global strain (p=0.009). Running a 246 km ultra-marathon decreased left ventricular (-20.9% to -18.8%, p=0.009) and right ventricular (-22.9% to -21.2%, p=0.04) global strains, though values remained within normal range.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a458459a36e37cc02f22871 https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3128

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Implication

Preserved apical strain after ultra-marathon suggests no acute clinical concern; leaves open long-term prognostic implications for athletes.

Impact of a 246 km ultra-marathon race on global and segmental longitudinal deformation of all cardiac chambers and on inter-chamber relationships

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

Impact of a 246 km ultra-marathon race on global and segmental longitudinal deformation of all cardiac chambers and on inter-chamber relationships

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider