Doing this type of exercise, could be damaging your heart

thedean1td1
thedean1td1 Posts: 24 Member
edited February 2 in Fitness and Exercise
*** Article ***

I just read this article entitled,

"Extreme Endurance Exercise: If you do this type of exercise, you could be damaging your heart."

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2013/08/23/extreme-endurance-exercise.aspx

In my opinion, for what its worth, anyone that exercises should take a minute and give this a look over, then decide if what their saying holds any merit.

I'd like to open up the floor for discussion on the content of this article, give it a look and drop your comments and opinions in the comment section.

Thank for your time and I hope you're having a great day.

Dean
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Replies

  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    In my opinion this article is talking about over training. There is a difference, and it can be a very fine line to walk- what's over training and what's not depending on the person, their factors such as age, fitness level, underlying medical conditions etc. I don't think we should lump all endurance training into the dangers that the article touches on. It's sort of vague throughout the article and makes it seem like all marathoners and endurance athletes are going about things all wrong. I agree over training is a big problem and should be something that all endurance athletes are aware of.
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    I am currently training to complete an Ironman Triathlon in 2014. I will have workouts that are 6+ hours long.

    When I am done with that, I want complete 100 mile runs, in which I will have 12+ hour workouts.

    I ain't scared.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,187 Member
    Mercola is a quack. If he said the sun was shining, I would put on a raincoat.

    http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I think I'm safe.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.
  • tidesong
    tidesong Posts: 451 Member
    thomasm198 said:
    "Mercola is a quack. If he said the sun was shining, I would put on a raincoat.

    http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html "

    This. Major quack.

    quack_zps0b65604e.jpg
  • SnicciFit
    SnicciFit Posts: 967 Member
    I'm the type that likes to get it done in short time. I'd rather go balls-to-the-wall for a short period and completely exhaust myself than to do any steady-state, endurance stuff. I love to run 5ks and might even consider a 10k here and there, but I have no desire to do any more than that. I think that's why I enjoy CrossFit. I get an intense workout in a short amount of time. Just my style :) I've seen some studies recently that show that HIIT type training is much better for fat loss than steady-state cardio too. I guess this is just another reason not to spend hours on the treadmill, but to push yourself to your limits for a short period and then hit the shower. :happy:
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    Sweet. I guess its back to XBox. Just in time for Grand Theft Auto V too.

    I can play for 40 hours a week now cause its better for my heart. yayyyyy!! :drinker:
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Mercola is a quack.

    This ^^
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.

    But at what age?

    There are men and women 80+ that compete in Ironman Triathlons.

    We all die..
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Sweet. I guess its back to XBox. Just in time for Grand Theft Auto V too.

    I can play for 40 hours a week now cause its better for my heart. yayyyyy!! :drinker:

    This.

    But seriously, a doctor/triathlete friend of mine has explained it to me that under certain conditions, like high mileage/intensity training, may cause an increase risk in some cases. That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.

    ETA and to echo the choir, Mercola is a quack
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    But seriously, a doctor/triathlete friend of mine has explained it to me that under certain conditions, like high mileage/intensity training, may cause an increase risk in some cases. That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.

    ^ This is how I understand it too. Those doing high endurance exercise still have a lower overall risk of heart disease than those who are sedentary.

    So yeah... we all die. I'd rather just drop dead while running than a whole bunch of other ways I can think of.
  • Victory_or_Death
    Victory_or_Death Posts: 21 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.

    But at what age?

    There are men and women 80+ that compete in Ironman Triathlons.

    We all die..


    Well said...It's amusing to think that now that we might actually BE in good shape for our old age, we should turn into delicate Ming vases instead of going out and kicking *kitten*.

    Better to die in the water bodysurfing Waimea than on the sofa, imo.
  • Victory_or_Death
    Victory_or_Death Posts: 21 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.

    But at what age?

    There are men and women 80+ that compete in Ironman Triathlons.

    We all die..


    Well said...It's amusing to think that now that we might actually BE in good shape for our old age, we should turn into delicate Ming vases instead of going out and kicking *kitten*.

    Better to die in the water at Waimea than on the sofa, imo.
  • Victory_or_Death
    Victory_or_Death Posts: 21 Member
    But seriously, a doctor/triathlete friend of mine has explained it to me that under certain conditions, like high mileage/intensity training, may cause an increase risk in some cases. That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.

    ^ This is how I understand it too. Those doing high endurance exercise still have a lower overall risk of heart disease than those who are sedentary.

    So yeah... we all die. I'd rather just drop dead while running than a whole bunch of other ways I can think of.

    Exactly right.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.

    But at what age?

    There are men and women 80+ that compete in Ironman Triathlons.

    We all die..
    I believe it was 40's or 50's? I didn't read the mercola article, but I have seen studies on this in other places. That's not to say you should stop exercising, but if you are pushing your heart above a certain threshold too long it can cause damage. That's all. Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"

    Also, if you're in your 80's, I imagine you don't care anymore about dropping dead.
    That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.
    This is perfectly valid, the question is are you at an increased risk at 50 miles a week verses 30. If that is the case, then it's good information for people to know. If you are doing it because you love it, like jumping out of an airplane, great. If you are doing it because you think it's healthier to do MORE miles, than you should know if that isn't true. I'm not sure if the research is conclusive yet.
  • SnicciFit
    SnicciFit Posts: 967 Member
    But seriously, a doctor/triathlete friend of mine has explained it to me that under certain conditions, like high mileage/intensity training, may cause an increase risk in some cases. That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.

    ^ This is how I understand it too. Those doing high endurance exercise still have a lower overall risk of heart disease than those who are sedentary.

    So yeah... we all die. I'd rather just drop dead while running than a whole bunch of other ways I can think of.

    The article isn't suggesting that you quit exercising. It's suggesting that you exercise a different way (or at the very least be aware of where YOUR point of diminishing return is).
  • mattschwartz01
    mattschwartz01 Posts: 566 Member
    I have heard of studies like this before but I'm curious how this factors into folks who enjoy cycling. They mention the possibility of cardiovascular damage for long distance races. How do they define a race? I don't have any goals of racing but I do enjoy long distance touring where resting and refueling is pretty frequent. I ride with an HRM so that I bring my heart rate up and down for periods of time. Any thoughts?
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"
    The study forund that out of nearly 11 million marathoners, 42 had fatal heart attacks.

    That is a rate of about .4 of 100,000

    To put this in context the rate of you dying by being hit by lighteneing is .8 of 10000.

    So the risk of dying from running a marathon is half that of dying from getting struck by lightning.

    You also have a much greater chance of dying in a car accident while driving to the gym to do your tradmill HIIT session.

    In the greater scheme of things this is not much to worry about.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I believe it was 40's or 50's? I didn't read the mercola article, but I have seen studies on this in other places. That's not to say you should stop exercising, but if you are pushing your heart above a certain threshold too long it can cause damage. That's all. Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"

    Any raising of the heart rate can do that though, not just running. If you are doing Zumba and get your HR up and don't properly cool down you risk the same damage as the long distance athletes you are posting about.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I have read several articles about overtraining leading to heart damage, particularly I believe for men over a certain age? What this basically means is that if you are in marathon training/iron man type training and you are pushing yourself to run hard for hours you might want to rethink that, particularly if you are older.

    But at what age?

    There are men and women 80+ that compete in Ironman Triathlons.

    We all die..
    I believe it was 40's or 50's? I didn't read the mercola article, but I have seen studies on this in other places. That's not to say you should stop exercising, but if you are pushing your heart above a certain threshold too long it can cause damage. That's all. Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"

    Also, if you're in your 80's, I imagine you don't care anymore about dropping dead.
    That increased risk is still much lower than someone who does not exercise.
    This is perfectly valid, the question is are you at an increased risk at 50 miles a week verses 30. If that is the case, then it's good information for people to know. If you are doing it because you love it, like jumping out of an airplane, great. If you are doing it because you think it's healthier to do MORE miles, than you should know if that isn't true. I'm not sure if the research is conclusive yet.

    I understnad your point though I'm not sure you get to 50, even 30, miles a week without loving it.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    *** Article ***

    I'd like to open up the floor for discussion on the content of this article, give it a look and drop your comments and opinions in the comment section.


    I think the amount of people who participate in these type of events are a small portion of people who like to exercise.

    And I know from experience, that people training for extreme events are a lot more likely to have fatal injuries from cars, and if they avoid the cars, are a lot more likely to die from dehydration/heat stroke than a heart conditon.

    All in all, it's a dangerous world no matter what you do. You will most likely get hurt doing active stuff, but sitting on the couch will kill you.
  • resistance_freak
    resistance_freak Posts: 899
    Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"
    The study forund that out of nearly 11 million marathoners, 42 had fatal heart attacks.

    That is a rate of about .4 of 100,000

    To put this in context the rate of you dying by being hit by lightening is .8 of 10000.

    So the risk of dying from running a marathon is half that of dying from getting struck by lightning.

    You also have a much greater chance of dying in a car accident while driving to the gym to do your treadmill HIIT session.

    In the greater scheme of things this is not much to worry about.
    QF to the f***ing T!

    I had to re-read the numbers to make sure I wasn't seeing things! I can't believe this was even published anywhere. This rate of cardiac events is so infinitesimally small that no one using logical thinking would worry about it AT ALL. But you put it in an article with an alarming headline and note that the rate has increased over time and suddenly people think it's something to concern themselves with.

    There is so much confusing and downright bad information out there when it comes to diet and exercise, it drives people crazy. Maybe we should re-think this whole internet thing, and giving everyone a voice. oh, I guess it might be a little late for that. That Genie is out of the bottle. We just really need to learn to be better consumers of information now since we're getting it from all angles and in such incredible amounts.

    Just my $0.02
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    I believe it was 40's or 50's? I didn't read the mercola article, but I have seen studies on this in other places. That's not to say you should stop exercising, but if you are pushing your heart above a certain threshold too long it can cause damage. That's all. Oh here I found an article that cites a NEJM study: http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2012/01/marathon-runners-can-die-from-heart-attacks.html
    "It's interesting to note that most of the heart attack victims were on average 42 year old men"

    Also, if you're in your 80's, I imagine you don't care anymore about dropping dead.

    Interesting. The men and women that win the Ironman World Championships are routinely in there lower 40s.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    No one who runs 30 miles a week considers bumping up to 50 miles for health and fitness purposes... it's always another driving factor for marathoners, ultra-marathoners, triathletes. None of these people would be motivated to cut back mileage unless a doctor told them they were putting their lives at risk by doing as much as they do.
  • GBPack93
    GBPack93 Posts: 76 Member
    60 mile per week runner, and I never get sick anymore since I started running and I disagree with most of the article's points.
    His main points against were

    1. Your body can enter a catabolic state, in which your tissues break down.
    A catabolic state is what creates weight loss, so people looking to lose weight would benefit from running. Those that are not looking to lose weight could simply eat more, nutrition is key but this one is avoidable.

    2. Excess cortisol (a stress hormone) can be released, which not only contributes to catabolism but also to chronic disease
    Personally running is a stress reducer for me. Whether it be a quick 10k or Three hours around my city I find running as a good stress reliever and something that really helps me control my temper.

    3.You can develop microscopic tears in your muscle fibers (which may fail to heal if you continue over-exercising), and increased risk for injuries
    Muscles tear when being exercised, the same is true for weight lifting. Muscles develop small tears which will heal with rest and proper nutrition and will be beneficial for muscle growth.

    4. Your immune system may be weakened
    Speaking on a personal level I have never gotten anything worse than a common cold since I started running. If anything I feel that my immune system was strengthened.

    5. You may develop insomnia, especially if your workout is in the afternoon or evening
    Insomnia cannot be directly related to distance running and usually stems from other sources. While I agree you sometimes may have a hard time sleeping if you go for a run and then immediate try to go to bed, overall I don't think that this is related to running.

    Overall I don't think distance running is unhealthy at all unless you have a preexisting medical condition that would affect you, or if you are not getting adequate nutrition and rest.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    It's Mercola. I'm not even going to waste my time.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Had I not gotten out of my Recliner 4 years ago at 560 lbs. and consuming well over 10,000 calories a day there is little doubt I would not be sitting here typing this today... I have very bad knee's so I wear custom fitted braces for land exercises and lap swimming 2+ miles at a stretch now and enjoy endurance cardio more than the quick paced stuff. 4 years ago I couldn't walk this morning I did a 70 minute weight lifting routine and 40 minutes incline treadmill to start my 6 day exercise week... I will gladly take the lifestyle I am leading now over the one where I was stuck in my house for over 2 years. If I drop dead tomorrow of a heart attack well then it just must of been my time.... :drinker:


    And Yes Mercola is a Quack...... :tongue:
  • Scott_2025
    Scott_2025 Posts: 201 Member
    Great discussion. I definitely want to follow this one.
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Article is a load of poo; the star athletes he speaks of fall into one of two categories: 1) they had a genetic heart defect from birth they were unaware of or 2) they were eating tons of artery clogging crap daily because they could get away with it without gaining weight because they exercised so much. Exercising a lot does not give you cart blanch to put crappy fuel into your machine.

    You wouldn't put water or even regular unleaded fuel into your Ferrari engine...why would you put poor fuel into your body?
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