For the select few, it’s not enough to run 26.2 miles – they feel the need to go the extra mile … and then some. Ultramarathon running has increasingly claimed more enthusiasts. Experts say participation in the sport rose from just 15,000 in 1998 to more than 63,000 in 2012. But is all that superhuman running taking a toll on health?
As expected, ultrarunners are pretty healthy in comparison with the rest of us mere mortals. According to a study published in PLOS One, they miss an average of two days of work or school because of sickness or injury, versus four days for non-runners. Also not surprisingly, exercise-related injuries accounted for 64 percent of their hospital visits. Knees, legs and feet were the usual victims. Sixty-five percent of those hurt by huffing it lost at least one training day because of their injury. Five percent found themselves hospitalized after an event due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, heat exhaustion, fractures and dislocations.
Surprisingly, ultrarunners suffered more from asthma and allergies than the rest of the population, probably because they spend more time outdoors in contact with allergens and pollen.
It raises the question of whether too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, and if moderation really is the key. Scientists believe more research on extreme exercise will illuminate the issue.
Overdoing exercise can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. And despite the influx of endorphins normal exercise brings on, extreme levels can actually cause unhappiness, lethargy, insomnia and impaired physical performance. It can also hurt your immune system by flooding it with stress hormones. Besides, studies have shown that the body needs adequate rest to perform at its best. So don’t overdo it — slow down now and then and enjoy some T-L-C.