Entering May, many people are striving to lose weight, and quite a few choose running as their form of exercise. However, engaging in running without knowing one’s physical health condition may cause harm to the body. What kind of damage can running actually do to the body?
Research result: Human kidney function declines after running
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin conducted a study examining the kidney function of 167 participants with an average age of 50 in the Berlin Marathon. The examination was carried out three times: before the run, immediately after the run, and two weeks after the run. Electrocardiograms and blood tests were also conducted on the participants.
In the kidney function test, cystatin C levels in the serum were examined to determine the kidneys’ ability to remove waste from the body. The results showed that 43% of the runners experienced a 25% decline in kidney function immediately after the run, and 13% had a decline of over 50%. The elevated cystatin C values were nearly equivalent to mild to moderate acute kidney injury. Two weeks later, the kidney function values returned to normal.
Are marathon runners’ strengths determined by their kidney function?
We can’t help but ask, why does kidney function deteriorate to such an extent after running?
The kidneys are vital organs that filter blood and expel excess salt and waste from the body. In addition, they are responsible for producing hormones that generate red blood cells, ensuring smooth oxygen delivery throughout the body, and regulating blood pressure—functions that are indispensable for life.
After intense exercise such as running a marathon, muscles are highly active, and waste products like urea tend to accumulate. Since the kidneys are responsible for excreting these waste materials, their function is heavily utilized. Moreover, intense sweating during exercise leads to rapid loss of body fluids, and dehydration reduces the blood flow through the kidneys, which can severely impair kidney function. Strong back pain, vomiting, or nausea after exercise should be especially alarming. Because marathon runners frequently endure such kidney strain, having strong kidney function is crucial for them.
Of course, impaired kidney function is not related to age—even a 17-year-old athlete can suffer from acute kidney injury if running improperly. Ultimately, proper hydration and not pushing oneself too hard are key to maintaining good health.