Marathon News and Research

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Extreme long-distance running triggers major surge in body's cannabis-like molecules

A marathon, 100 kilometers or even 230 kilometers in one go: Anyone running such distances puts enormous strain on their body.

4 Sep 2026

Study sheds light on the prognostic value of blood test for predicting cognitive impairment risk

A blood test for the biomarker phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) recently received federal clearance, but questions have emerged around the extent to which such tests can accurately predict whether a cognitively healthy individual will go on to develop cognitive impairment-a key symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

15 Jul 2026

Running a marathon triggers measurable heart changes

Acute cardiac responses to marathon running include biomarker spikes and structural changes, though their long-term impact on heart health needs further study.

11 Jun 2026

Review explores impact of extreme endurance running on heart health

Changes to the heart linked to marathon running vary by age, sex, and training level, finds a synthesis of the available data, published in the open access journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.

10 Jun 2026

Study uncovers genetic trade-off between youth and longevity

A new study identifies vgll3 as a key gene that promotes rapid growth and early reproduction while increasing the risk of aging and cancer later in life.

3 Jun 2026

Why Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, and the US stand out in global distance running

This global analysis of 152,943 endurance runners found that nationality, gender, age, and race distance were significantly associated with running performance from 1999 to 2024. Men were faster across all distances, women were generally older in longer races, and runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, and the United States showed distinct participation and performance patterns.

26 May 2026

Outdoor running combats winter vitamin D deficiency better than supplements

An EHU study says that vitamin D supplements can help to strengthen the immune system, but not to improve athletic performance.

25 May 2026

Study reveals epigenetic adaptation of beta cells across lifespan and disease

As people age, most maintain normal blood sugar even as insulin resistance tends to rise. New research suggests that pancreatic beta cells help meet this demand through gradual epigenetic changes in regulatory regions of the genome that support beta-cell identity and function.

5 May 2026

Sugar intake may reduce effectiveness of relaxation exercises

How does sugar affect relaxation exercises? A new study carried out by researchers from the University of Konstanz provides revealing insights into the connection between blood glucose and the autonomic nervous system: The intake of sugar counteracts relaxation.

7 Apr 2026

New shoe lacing system for comfort and stability during long runs

This study highlights the advantages of a wrapping closure lacing system, improving comfort and stability in running while preserving natural biomechanics.

19 Mar 2026

Hormone fluctuations influence perceived effort during intense workouts

Female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate monthly across the menstrual cycle, affecting moods and energy levels.

2 Mar 2026

Loughborough University and Science in Sport (SiS) extend partnership in elite sport and performance nutrition

Loughborough University and Science in Sport (SiS) have announced a renewed three-year partnership, strengthening the organizations' long-standing collaboration across elite sport and performance nutrition.

23 Feb 2026

Exercise pills could offer new hope for depression treatment

We all know the feeling: the mental clarity that comes after a good run or a heavy workout. Science backs this up, even showing that for non-severe depression, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants or therapy.

19 Feb 2026

Extreme endurance exercise pushes red blood cells toward accelerated aging

Extreme endurance running damages red blood cells in ways that may affect their ability to function properly, according to a study published in the American Society of Hematology's journal Blood Red Cells & Iron.

18 Feb 2026

Public health workers are quitting over assignments to Guantánamo

Rebekah Stewart, a nurse at the U.S. Public Health Service, got a call last April that brought her to tears. She had been selected for deployment to the Trump administration's new immigration detention operation at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

9 Feb 2026

Research uncovers trade-offs in aging muscle stem cell functionality

Aging muscles heal more slowly after injury - a frustrating reality familiar to many older adults.

30 Jan 2026

Poor sleep raises injury risk in recreational runners

Research shows that sleep quality and duration are critical for injury prevention in recreational runners, emphasizing sleep's role in athletic performance.

13 Nov 2025

Personalized prehabilitation reduces the risk of surgical complications

The weeks leading up to a major surgery can be a time of uncertainty and worry for patients, many of whom anticipate the need for rehabilition to get back on their feet.

12 Nov 2025

Over one-third of men would rather endure stressful situations than discuss prostate health

A new survey from Orlando Health reveals that over one-third of men (38%) would rather endure stressful situations, such as watching their team lose a big game or being stuck in traffic, than discuss their prostate health.

4 Nov 2025

Mass General Brigham study shows US obesity could jump from 40% to 70%

The prevalence of obesity in the United States could rise sharply under a new definition of obesity released earlier this year by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Commission.

16 Oct 2025