Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Maria Hopman, Radboud University, The Netherlands
- Second opponent: Professor Stein Ørn, UiS - University of Stavanger
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Emeritus Drude Merete Fugelseth, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Associate Professor Tone Kristin Bergersen, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor II Jonny Hisdal, University of Oslo
Summary
This thesis is based on three scientific papers focusing on biomarker changes following Ironman-distance triathlons. The primary objectives are to create reference material for Ironman triathlon athletes' biomarkers and explore acute physiological changes affecting endothelial NO metabolism during these events, with studies conducted at the Norseman Xtreme triathlon.
Paper I: Clinical Biomarker Reference Aimed at providing reference material for medical teams at Norseman and other Ironman triathlons, Paper I highlighted alterations in WBC, CRP, AST, CK, and NT-proBNP after Norseman. WBC and NT-proBNP increases appeared independent, while AST and CK correlated with CRP increases. The paper included multiple reference values of common biomarkers.
Paper II: Vascular Function Changes Paper II explored acute changes in vascular function post-Norseman, reporting a temporary reduction in the NO-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) response of the arteries immediately after the race. Triathletes showed decreased NO-precursor L-arginine levels and increased endothelial inflammation markers, all transient like FMD changes.
Paper III: Biochemical Analyses of NO-Availability Paper III delved deeper into NO-availability changes after Norseman in a larger cohort than Paper II. Results confirmed decreased L-arginine levels post-Norseman, and offered further insight in possible mechanisms of reduced NO availability through altered levels of potential inhibitors of intracellular NO-synthesis.
Thesis Conclusion After Norseman, athletes experienced biochemical changes potentially reducing NO availability. These align with FMD response reduction found in Paper II. The thesis offers insights into biochemical changes in Ironman triathletes, emphasizing clinical implications for biomarker monitoring, reference values, and potential NO availability reduction affecting vascular function.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.