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Story summary
- A study published in Blood Red Cells & Iron finds ultra-marathon running damages red blood cells and reduces their flexibility.
- Researchers analyzed blood samples from 23 elite runners before and after two races: 40-kilometer event and 171-kilometer event.
- They found that longer races caused greater cellular stress and accelerated aging of red blood cells.
- The study does not give participation guidance, notes health implications, and calls for future research to improve blood storage and training.
