Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(7): 576-579
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964841
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Changes of Bone Turnover Markers after Marathon Running over 245 km

G. Mouzopoulos1 , M. Stamatakos2 , M. Tzurbakis1 , A. Tsembeli3 , C. Manti4 , M. Safioleas2 , P. Skandalakis2
  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Evangelismos, Athens, Greece
  • 2Department of General Surgery, University of Athens, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 3Department of Pathology and Cardiology, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 4Department of Microbiology and Haematology, Thriasion Hospital, Athens, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision May 18, 2006

Publication Date:
13 April 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

We evaluated bone turn over markers, cortisol and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in male athletes after 245 km of marathon running. Sixteen athletes were studied five days before, immediately after, and 1, 3, and 5 days after the run. We used t-test and Pearson correlation for statistical analysis. Osteocalcin levels were significantly decreased from 4.6 µg/lit to 3.8 µg/lit (p < 0.05). Activity of b-ALP was significantly decreased from 66 U/lit to 61.5 U/lit (p < 0.05). PICP levels were also significantly decreased from 168 µg/lit to 153 µg/lit (p < 0.05). Hydroxyproline levels decreased after the run from 70 mmol/min to 65 mmol/min (p < 0.05). ICTP levels increased after the run but without being statistically significant, from 6.62 µg/lit to 7.0 µg/lit. Urine calcium decreased significantly by 68 %, immediately after the run. Cortisol increased from 212 ng/ml to 455 ng/ml, and PTH levels increased from 12 pg/lit to 16 pg/lit immediately after the race (p < 0.05). Cortisol levels were significantly negatively correlated with osteocalcin (r = - 0.61, p < 0.05) and b-ALP (r = - 0.98, p < 0.05). PTH levels were significantly negatively correlated only with serum osteocalcin (r = - 0.8, p < 0.05). These findings suggest a transient suppression in osteoblast function during the marathon run probably due to cortisol and PTH levels elevation.

Key words

bone - metabolism - marathon

References

  • 1 Anh D J, Dimai H P, Hall S L, Farley J R. Skeletal alkaline phosphatase activity is primarily released from human osteoblasts in an insoluble form, and the net released is inhibited by calcium and skeletal growth factors.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1998;  62 332-340
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bilanin J E, Blanchard M S, Russek-Cohen E. Lower vertebral bone density in male long distance runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1989;  21 66-70
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Brahm H, Piehl-Aulin K, Ljunghall S. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism during distance running in healthy, regularly exercising men and women.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1996;  6 26-30
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Brahm H, Strom H, Piehl-Aulin K, Mallmin H, Ljunghall S. Bone metabolism in endurance trained athletes: a comparison to population-based controls based on DXA, SXA, quantitative ultrasound, and biochemical markers.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1997;  61 448-454
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Chilibeck P D, Sale D G, Webber C E. Exercise and bone mineral density.  Sports Med. 1995;  19 103-122
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Cooper M, Syddall H, Fall C, Wood P, Stewart P, Cooper C, Dennison E. Circulating cortisone levels are associated with biochemical markers of bone formation and lumbar spine BMD: the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.  Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005;  62 692-695
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Crespo R, Revilla M, Villa L F, Usabiaga J, Leibar X, Rico H. Transient dissociation of bone metabolism induced by high performance exercise: a study in elite marathon runners.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1999;  64 287-290
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Dalsky G P. Effect of exercise on bone: permissive influence of estrogen and calcium.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 281-285
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Dessypris A, Kuoppasalmi K, Aldercreutz H. Plasma cortisol, testosterone, androstendione and luteinizing hormone in a non-competitive marathon run.  J Steroid Biochem. 1976;  7 33-37
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Etherington J, Harris P A, Nandra D, Hart D J, Wolman R L, Doyle D V, Spector T D. The effect of weight-bearing exercise on bone mineral density: a study of female ex-elite athletes and the general population.  J Bone Miner Res. 1996;  11 1333-1338
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Fellmann N. Hormonal and plasma volume alterations following endurance exercise. A brief review.  Sport Med. 1992;  13 37-49
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Fellmann N, Bedu M, Giry J, Pharmakis-Amadieu M, Bezou M, Barlet J, Coudert J. Hormonal, fluid and electrolyte changes during a 72-h recovery from a 24-h endurance run.  Int J Sports Med. 1989;  10 406-412
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Franck H, Beuker F, Gurk S. The effect of physical activity on bone turnover in young adults.  Exp Clin Endocrinol. 1991;  98 42-46
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Grimston S K, Tanguay K E, Gundberg C M, Hanley D A. The calciotropic hormone response to changes in serum calcium during exercise in female long distance runners.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;  76 867-872
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Hale W, Kosasa T, Krieger J, Pepper S. A marathon: the immediate effects on female runners luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and cortisol levels.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;  146 550-558
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Hetland M L, Haarbo J, Christiansen C. Low bone mass and high bone turnover in male long distances runners.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;  77 770-775
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Kelly P J, Eisman J A, Sambrook P N. Interaction of genetic and environmental influences on peak bone density.  Osteoporosis Int. 1990;  1 56-60
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Kiiskinen A, Heikkinen E. Physical training and connective tissues in young mice. Biochemistry of skin.  Br J Dermatol. 1976;  95 525-529
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Kovanen V, Suominen H, Heikkinen E. Connective tissue of “fast” and “slow” skeletal muscle in rats - effects of endurance training.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1980;  108 173-180
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Langberg H, Skovgaard D, Asp S, Kjaer M. Time pattern of exercise-induced changes in type I collagen turnover after prolonged endurance exercise in humans.  Calcif Tissue Int. 2000;  67 41-44
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Malm H, Ronni-Sivula H M, Viinika L U, Ylikorkala O R. Marathon running accompanied by transient decreases in urinary calcium and serum osteocalcin levels.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1993;  52 209-211
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Nishiyama S, Tomoeda S, Ohta T, Higuchi A, Matsuda I. Differences in basal and postexercise osteocalcin levels in athletic and nonathletic humans.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1988;  43 150-154
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Pollitzer W S, Anderson J B. Ethnic and genetic differences in bone mass: a review with a hereditary versus environmental perspective.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;  50 1244-1259
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Rudberg A, Magnusson P, Larsson L, Joborn H. Serum isoforms of bone alkaline phosphatase increase during physical exercise in women.  Calcif Tissue Int. 2000;  66 342-347
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Sato T, Sugimoto H, Yan W X, Endo K, Yamamoto M. Alkaline phosphatase isozymes of serum and urine and urinary protein in young men before and after running 3 km.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;  69 355-360
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Suominen H, Kiiskinen A, Heikkinen E. Effects of physical training on metabolism of connective tissues in young mice.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1980;  108 17-22
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Taafe D R, Robinson T L, Snow C M, Marcus R. High-impact exercise promotes bone gain in well-trained female athletes.  J Bone Miner Res. 1997;  12 255-260
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Taafe D R, Snow-Harter C, Connolly D A, Robinson T L, Brown M D, Marcus R. Differential effects of swimming versus weight-bearing activity on bone mineral status of eumenorrheic athletes.  J Bone Miner Res. 1995;  10 586-593
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Thorsen K, Kristoffersson A, Lorentzon R. The effects of brisk walking on markers of bone and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal women.  Calcif Tissue Int. 1998;  58 221-225
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Virtanen P, Viitasalo J T, Vuori J, Vaananen K, Takala T E. Effect of concentric exercise on serum muscle and collagen markers.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  75 1272-1277
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Dr. George Mouzopoulos

Evangelismos
Orthopaedics

S.Venizelou 23 Peristeri Attikis

12131 Athens

Greece

Email: gmouzop@yahoo.gr