Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
Energy metabolism, liver and kidney function in adolescent marathon runners
Natthapon Traiperm1,2, Hannes Gatterer1, Prapapimon Pariwat2
1Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Background:
To study parameters of energy metabolism, liver and kidney function in adolescent runners completing a standard 42·2-km marathon run.
Design:
Observational field study.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty adolescents (30 healthy males and 20 healthy females) aged between 13 and 17 years participated in the study. All participants underwent routine medical screening. Blood samples were taken before, at the end and 24 h after a competitive marathon to investigate parameters of metabolism, liver and kidney function.
Results:
Forty-seven runners completed the race with a mean finishing time of 4 h 57 min 24 s (range: 3 h 17 min 09 s to 6 h 14 min 01 s). None of the participants experienced an adverse medical event during or postmarathon. Findings indicate predominant lipid oxidation during and postmarathon, signs of minor hepatic injury and only transiently reduced kidney function caused by marathon running in adolescents.
Conclusion:
The observed findings are very similar to those reported in healthy adults. There is no evidence of liver or kidney injury in adolescent runners participating in a standard marathon run.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Liver Physiology
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Regulation of Metabolism
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

