Table 1 Baseline characteristics, training level and running experience

Number

84

41

43

Age, years

50 ± 11 (22–69)

52 ± 14 (22–69)

48 ± 9 (22–69)

0.044

Body mass index, kg/m²

22 ± 2

23 ± 2

21 ± 2

< 0.001

Blood pressure, mmHg

  Systolic

126 ± 14

130 ± 14

124 ± 15

0.052

  Diastolic

81 ± 8

83 ± 9

80 ± 8

0.067

Baseline heart rate, 1/min

63 ± 9

62 ± 8

63 ± 9

0.662

Weekly average training, km

54 ± 19

55 ± 23

53 ± 16

0.547

Previous marathons (n)

14 ± 25

21 ± 33

7 ± 10

< 0.001

NT-proBNP [pg/ml]

91 ± 73

68 ± 56

113 ± 81

0.001