Physiology of marathons amounts of blood to and from the lungs to reach all bodily tissues is dependent on having a high cardiac output along with sufficient levels of total body hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein within blood cells that allows for the proper transportation of oxygen from the lungs to other bodily tissues via the circulatory system. In order for the transportation of oxygen in blood to be effective during a marathon, the distribution of blood needs to be equally efficient in order for a marathoner's oxygen demands to be met during a race. The mechanism that allows for this
Blood doping or storage is another issue. Contamination was seen in 1 in every 500,000 transfusions of red blood cells in 2002. Blood contamination can lead to septicemia or an infection that affects the whole body. Certain medications used to increase red blood cells can reduce liver function and lead to liver failure, pituitary problems, and increases in cholesterol levels. Blood doping Blood doping is the practice of boosting the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream in order to enhance athletic performance. Because such blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, a higher concentration in the blood