A team of researchers from the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas has published a study examining the impact of hydration on long-distance running, specifically during the 2024 Boston Marathon. The study, titled “Biomarkers of organ stress and injury following the Boston Marathon,” appears in the Journal of Applied Physiology and evaluates the effects of hydration on marathon participants before and after the race.
The research team included lead author Brendon McDermott, along with colleagues Cory Butts, Zachary McKenna, Abigail Morris, Rose Perez, Shawn Wierick, and Xiujing Zhao, all from the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. They collaborated with Whitley Atkins, a University of New Mexico exercise science instructor and Sarah Gustus, a research project manager at Massachusetts General Hospital.
McDermott highlighted the study’s findings, indicating that kidney stress remained evident regardless of the hydration levels among runners. “Our study is a reflection of the amount of stress the body experiences during a moderately fast marathon,” he stated. The research suggests that while hydration offers some protection, it is not a complete safeguard. Runners are encouraged to prioritize recovery strategies, as their gastrointestinal and renal systems undergo significant challenges post-race.
The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of research on the physiological effects of extreme endurance events. McDermott, who leads the Heat and Hydration Optimization (H2O) Lab, emphasized the importance of preventive measures against heat illness and effective hydration strategies. The study has been added to the National Library of Medicine, making it accessible to health professionals and scientists worldwide.
In addition, the research was featured in the health and nutrition newsletter “Run Long, Run Healthy,” authored by Brady Holmer. The article titled “The Crazy Effect a Marathon Has on Your Body” underscores the significant impact of marathon running on physiological health.
McDermott expressed his enthusiasm for the public’s interest in their research. “Having others read and show interest in our research brings the satisfaction that we need to continue answering scientific questions to help the population,” he said. He also acknowledged the College of Education and Health Professions for their ongoing support, stating, “The college has provided funds, administrative support, and moral support behind all the research we do.”
As the research team looks to the future, they plan to conduct further studies to explore additional physiological questions regarding distance running, paving the way for improved health outcomes for athletes.
For more detailed findings, see the full study by Zachary J. McKenna et al. in the Journal of Applied Physiology (2025), DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00775.2025.
