When The Heart Is Under Duress, It Releases Proteins Known As Troponins Into The Bloodstream GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream. In elite marathoners and cyclists, troponin levels become so elevated after a race that they are indistinguishable from those observed in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. Despite the benefits of exercise, it is evident that too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health.

Which of the following would be most useful to determine to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether non-elite runners and cyclists, after prolonged exercise, have more troponin in their bloodstream than do elite athletes.
(B) How long the body takes, on average, to restore elevated troponin levels to normal.
(C) Whether the body produces any other substances after extended periods of exercise that may be harmful.
(D) Whether the body sustains irreparable damage as a result of a long-distance run or bicycle ride.
(E) Whether other forms of prolonged cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming, also lead to elevated levels of troponin in the body

Answer: D
Explanation
 

Given that troponins are proteins that get into the bloodstream when the heart is under stress. Elite marathoners and bikers have troponin levels that are so high after a race that they can't be told apart from those of people who just had a heart attack. Even though exercise is good for you, it is clear that too much running or riding, even for one day, is bad for your health.

Let's approach the answer choices. 

A: Incorrect
This option provides information about troponin levels in non-elite athletes, but it doesn't directly address the argument's assertion that "too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health."

B: Incorrect 
While this information might be interesting and informative, it doesn't directly address the argument's claim about the detrimental effect of too much running or cycling on health.

C: Incorrect
This option introduces the possibility of other harmful substances produced during exercise, but it doesn't specifically address the correlation between troponin levels and the claimed detrimental effect of excessive running or cycling on health.

D: Correct
This option addresses the core concern of the argument, which is whether too much running or cycling, even for one day, has a detrimental effect on health. Determining whether the body sustains irreparable damage from prolonged exercise would help assess the overall impact on health and whether the elevation of troponin levels is a sign of potential harm or just a normal physiological response.

E: Incorrect
While this option explores the effects of different types of exercise on troponin levels, it doesn't directly address the argument's focus on the potential detrimental effect of excessive running or cycling.

“When the heart is under duress, it releases proteins known as troponins into the bloodstream”– is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

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