Catecholamines and fuels after an ultralong run: persistent changes after 24-h recovery

This study examined the alterations induced by an ultralong distance run (169 +/- 6 km in 24 h) and by prolonged postrace recovery (24 h) on blood fuel metabolites and catecholamines in seven trained subjects. Ten minutes after the race, plasma concentrations of glycerol and free fatty acids (FFA) were decreased twofold. Plasma glucose was unchanged. Plasma concentrations of free norepinephrine (NE) and free dopamine (DA) increased from 2.73 +/- 0.28 to 5.41 +/- 1.11 nmol.l-1 and from 0.45 +/- 0.13 to 0.62 +/- 0.18 nmol.l-1 whereas free epinephrine (E) and insulin were unchanged; 24 h after the race, plasma glycerol and FFA concentrations remained elevated (twofold) and TG decreased twofold compared with resting levels. Concomitantly, plasma NE and DA levels remained elevated, respectively, 6.23 +/- 0.41 and 0.77 +/- 0.13 nmol.l-1. These data show that the alterations in circulating fuel metabolites and NE induced by the ultralong race were still present 24 h later. The involvement of lipid metabolism and catecholamines in processes of post-exercise recovery is discussed.