Evaluation of myocardial alterations using the enzymatic profile of elderly long-distance runners

Elderly population often is encouraged to practice sports in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, evidences exist that intense physical efforts are related with a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. Biological markers for myocardial injury was analyzed in a group of 15 elderly athletes without a history of coronary artery disease, who participated in the 77th International Sao Silvestre race (15,000 m) in Sao Paulo City. A statistical difference was observed between total CPK activity levels before the run, immediately after the run, and some time later. Similar results were observed in the concentration of CK-MB mass. The cardiac troponin I (TnI-c) levels remained unchanged and within normal limits during the same time periods. The results of the present study showed no evidence of myocardial injury in elderly subjects without a history of coronary artery disease after participating in long-distance runs, as confirmed by the analysis of TnI-c levels. The increase in total CPK activity levels and the concentration of CK-MB mass do not represent myocardial injury in these subjects.