Biochemical changes as a result of prolonged strenuous exercise.

OBJECTIVE To briefly review biochemical changes that may result from prolonged strenuous exercise and to relate these changes to health risk. METHODS Medline and Sports Discus databases were searched for relevant articles. Additional articles were found using cross referencing and the authors' knowledge of the subject area. RESULTS Prolonged strenuous exercise may result in a series of biochemical changes that are of concern from a health point of view. Generally, these changes are benign, but some, especially hyponatraemia, are potentially life threatening occurrences. CONCLUSION Doctors and athletes should be aware of the potentially adverse biochemical changes, especially hyponatraemia, that may result from prolonged strenuous exercise.