Why do extremities bloat on long runs?

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2008-09-03 10:22 AM

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Champion
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Alabama
Subject: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?

I've noticed that on very long bike rides and runs my hands tend to swell up.  My wedding ring and watch get really tight. 

I've heard someone mention exo-cellular water vs indo-cellular water.   Someone please educate me.  Thanks

~Mike

2008-09-03 10:26 AM
in reply to: #1645971

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?

I think it has something to do with your core body temp rising.  Heat causes things to expand.

Only about 25 - 30% of your effort actually gets translated "down to the ground."  The rest of that is heat energy.  While the human body is pretty efficient, it is really not THAT efficient in the big scheme of "engines."

2008-09-03 1:09 PM
in reply to: #1645971

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Champion
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?
Vasopressin production is apparently stimulated due to the disturbance in electrolyte levels and body fluids during the run which leads to water retention. Supposedly it takes a couple days for the hormone level to return to normal.
2008-09-03 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1646425

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?

tcovert - 2008-09-03 1:09 PM Vasopressin production is apparently stimulated due to the disturbance in electrolyte levels and body fluids during the run which leads to water retention. Supposedly it takes a couple days for the hormone level to return to normal.

 

Evidently this retained water is not available as "hydration' though?  On my race Sunday I was drinking a bottle of Gatorade very 10 miles and a bottle of water about every 20 miles (in addition to the Gatorade no in lieu of).  My hands were swollen with water retention and yet my urine was still dark yellow so I just kept drinking.

You are exactly right about it taking a couple of days to reach equilibrium and the body to release this water. 

~Mike

2008-09-03 2:30 PM
in reply to: #1645971

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Master
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Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?
No scientific anything to tell you, other than my ring also gets much tighter when it's hot and much looser when it's cold.
2008-09-03 2:32 PM
in reply to: #1645971

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Sneaky Slow
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Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?
Sounds like the opposite of "shrinkage" to me. 


2008-09-04 8:05 AM
in reply to: #1645971

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Master
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Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?
I got very bloated everywhere during the end of my HIM. I was cramping pretty bad on the start of the run, and just ate some endurolytes like they were candy (please don't post the link on how cramping is related to fitness and poor pacing... I know)... but that's what I did, and roughly 90 minutes later I was looking MUCH larger than normal... clearly evident in race pictures.  Excessive salt = water retention.
2008-09-04 8:21 AM
in reply to: #1645971

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Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: Why do extremities bloat on long runs?

The likely condition is known as edema or oedema and is caused by a pressure imbalance between blood vessels and the rest of the body.  It can be caused by an electrolyte imbalance but there are other causes, including inflammation that can cause it to occur.  Here are some links for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edema

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/edema/DS01035

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