Ultra-Endurance Running May Accelerate Aging and Breakdown of Red Blood Cells
Feb 18
2026
Findings could inform strategies to preserve blood cell health in athletes and stored blood
(WASHINGTON – Feb. 18, 2026) – Extreme endurance running damages red blood cells in ways that may affect their ability to function properly, according to a study published in the American Society of Hematology’s journal Blood Red Cells & Iron. Although the duration and long-term implications of the damage are unclear, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that extreme forms of exercise may harm, rather than support, overall health.
LINK:
https://www.hematology.org/newsroom/press-releases/2026/ultra-endurance-running-may-accelerate-aging-and-breakdown-of-rbcs
