Since older people have greater potential for improving their fitness than younger people, a follow - up study conducted by a research group headed by doctor and molecular biologist Helmuth Haslacher from MedUni Vienna,
in collaboration with Robert Winker's team from the Health and Prevention Center of the Healthcare Institution for City of Vienna employees, took blood samples from 47
marathon runners before an ergometer test,
in order to carry out laboratory tests to determine levels of analytes, including inflammatory
markers, muscle and liver parameters.