Exploring the science behind the marathon runner

Running the Boston Marathon takes months of training, and it can take a toll on elite marathoners and novice athletes alike. Vector checked in with some of the experts in the Boston Children’s Hospital’s Sports Medicine Division to learn more about how science can aid marathon runners, prevent injury and illness and facilitate recovery.

Chocolate milk: A no-brainer for maximizing recovery

The most rapid way to maximize recovery after an endurance run is to consume carbohydrates in a 4:1 ratio within 30 to 60 minutes of completing the marathon. The enzyme glycogen synthase is most active within this time frame; it synthesizes glycogen — the body’s main source of energy during activity — from glucose in the body. Chocolate milk has become a favorite of runners and athletes since it provides the perfect 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein. —Laura Moretti, MS, RD, clinical nutrition specialist

ABCs of PEDs

Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) seem to be ubiquitous in the competitive running world. Erythropoietin (EPO), a peptide hormone produced by the kidneys, increases the number of red blood cells. Endurance athletes have turned to EPO because more red blood cells mean more oxygen and greater aerobic capacity. But excess red blood cells can clog the arteries and increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. Hence the ban on PEDs, including EPO. —Tom Vorderer, DPM, podiatrist

The science of injury prevention

Multiple studies suggest that 30 to 40 percent of runners suffer some sort of injury every year, and 50 to 75 percent of running injuries are considered overuse injuries.

Read the full post on Vector: The science of marathon running

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