Excretion of casts and uromucoid in urine after prolonged heavy exercise

Excretion of uromucoid, albumin and casts in urine were determined in twenty well-trained men, ten aged 20-30 years, and ten aged 50-60 years, before, during and after a 70 km cross country ski race. During the race there was only a slight increase in uromucoid excretion, but a marked increase in the excretion of casts and albumin. The older subjects had a tendency to lower urine output during the race compared to the younger group. Reduction of urine output below ca. 25 ml/h was accompanied by a conspicuous increase in urine cast and albumin concentrations, with only a slight increase in uromucoid concentration, and even a reduction in uromucoid excretion. No significant relationship was found between cast excretion and uromucoid concentration. Thus the gross cylindruria observed during longstanding exercise must be ascribed to other urinary factors facilitating the formation of casts.