A new systematic review and meta-analysis has found that running a marathon can trigger measurable short-term changes in the heart, even among healthy adults, highlighting the powerful physical demand of endurance sport. Reported by News-Medical on 11 June 2026, the study reviewed 69 studies and included pooled analysis from 49 studies, examining cardiac biomarkers, heart structure and heart function before and after marathon events. Researchers found that marathon runners often showed post-race increases in cardiac biomarkers such as troponins and NT-proBNP, which are commonly used to detect heart strain or injury, along with subtle changes in heart pumping and chamber function. Importantly, the findings do not prove that marathon running causes lasting heart damage; instead, they suggest that the heart may experience temporary stress as it responds to extreme endurance exercise. The study also noted that responses may differ by age, sex, training level and running performance, meaning that not every runner's heart reacts in the same way. The message is balanced: regular running remains strongly linked to better fitness and cardiovascular health, but marathon-distance events should be approached with proper training, recovery, hydration and medical caution, especially for people with symptoms or known heart-risk factors.
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