This research is being done to better understand the pulmonary consequences of completing an ultra marathon at altitude and a sea level city.
Subjects will be asked to undertake three (3) sets of assessments at prescribed time intervals: Baseline (at 72-24h prior to each event), immediately post (within 2h of race completion) and during recovery (within 24-48h of race completion). Each assessment will consist of 1)lung function tests; 2) a saliva and blood sample; 3) a lung and cardiac ultrasound. Subjects will be recruited from a range of age groups and fitness levels, before being divided into a sham or therapy group. Groups will use Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy or related sham before the event and during recovery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
72
PEMF Therapy based on Biological Electromagnetic (BEM) microbial wave technology provides micro-magnetic emissions to the center of the palm (Laogong acupoint). While participating in the study, the subjects will undertake 2 sessions of therapy every day (1 session in the morning and evening). Each session will last for 16-min (8-min for left and 8-min for right hand).
PEMF therapy will be administered however it will not produce micro-magnetic emissions. The therapy will be used on the center of the palm (Laogong acupoint) of each hand. While participating in the study, the subjects will undertake 2 sessions of therapy every day (1 session in the morning and evening). Each session will last for 16-min (8-min for left and 8-min for right hand).
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Change in right ventricle end diastolic area (EDA)
Cardiac ultrasound (Philips CX50) will be performed to determine left and right ventricular morphology and function. Ultrasound will be performed in accordance with the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines (ASE). Imaging of the ventricles and the diameter during relaxation (diastole) will be captured and evaluated. Normal value for right ventricle EDA indexed to body surface area ranges between 5-12.6 cm\^2/m\^2 for males and 4.5-11.5 cm\^2/m\^2 for females .
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)
Another ultrasound metric that will be evaluated is tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) which is used a parameter of global RV function which describes apex-to-base shortening. Normal value for TAPSE is above 16 mm.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e')
Another ultrasound metric that will be evaluated is early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e') which is used to evaluate the diastolic or relaxation function of the left ventricle. Normal value for E/e' is \<6.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in the ratio of peak velocity flow in early diastole (the E wave) to peak velocity flow in late diastole caused by atrial contraction (the A wave)
Another ultrasound metric that will be evaluated is he ratio of peak velocity flow in early diastole (the E wave) to peak velocity flow in late diastole caused by atrial contraction (the A wave) (E/A) which is used to evaluate the diastolic filling of the left ventricle. Normal value for E/A is between 0.8 and 2.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in lung fluid assessed through ultrasound incidence of comet tails
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Ultrasound will be used to image 28 "windows" covering the 2nd through the 5th intercostal/rib space on the right and left sides of the chest. The number of comet tails observed over these 28 locations will be documented and the change in this number over the course of the study will be evaluated.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in lung fluid assessed through diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide
Subjects will take a maximal breath of a test gas mixture, hold that inhalation for 4 seconds and then exhale and the exhaled gas will be analyze to determine the change in gas concentrations between what was inhaled and exhaled. Comparison will be made between the change over time in this ability of gas to move from the lungs to the blood stream.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in exhaled nitric oxide
The amount of nitric oxide in ones exhaled air will be measured by a handheld device. Levels under 25 parts per billion are normal, more than 35 parts per billion would be a sign of airway inflammation.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in hemoglobin
A blood sample will be taken and analyzed to determine the amount of red blood cells and and hemoglobin in the blood. For males normal range for hemoglobin is 13.5-17.5 grams per deciliter and for females normal range for hemoglobin is 12.0-15.5 grams per deciliter. Low values means anemia is present and higher levels is a normal response to altitude.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in hematocrit
A blood sample will be taken and analyzed to determine the amount of red blood cells and and hemoglobin in the blood. For males normal range for hematocrit is 38.8-50% and for females normal range for hematocrit is 34.9-44.5% Low values means anemia is present and higher levels is a normal response to altitude.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in cardiac troponin I
To determine if signs of cardiac damage, as its presence in the blood is a potential sign of damage to the heart muscle
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in B-type natriuretic peptide
To determine if signs of cardiac damage, as its presence in the blood is a potential sign of damage to the heart muscle
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race
Change in cortisol
Saliva levels of cortisol will be measured as a metric of stress. Cortisol levels increase when you body is under stress.
Time frame: baseline, within 2 hours of race completion, 24-48 hours post race