Study: Excessive Exercise Damages Red Blood Cell Flexibility and Impairs Their Function

A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado Anschutz has found that running distances exceeding 40 kilometers can cause red blood cells to rupture and lose their elasticity. This loss of flexibility hinders their ability to pass through tiny capillaries and reduces their efficiency in transporting oxygen and removing physiological waste as a result of intense physical exertion.

According to the scientific journal Blood Cells and Iron, analyses of proteins, plasma, and lipids in 23 athletes revealed signs of cellular aging and structural damage. These alterations were linked to increased blood pressure, higher levels of inflammation, and oxidative stress, confirming that excessive strain directly affects blood integrity.

The findings highlight the importance of balancing athletic ambition with physiological capacity, while adhering to recovery periods that allow for cellular regeneration. Researchers concluded that the stability of vital functions depends on giving the body sufficient time to recover, although no definitive recommendation was issued to prohibit such endurance races.

In this context, the research team explained that the purpose of monitoring these changes is to better understand the long-term effects on athletes’ biological systems and to determine the time required to repair cellular damage, ensuring that red blood cells regain their efficiency and natural balance after demanding competitions.