Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(01): 12-20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-119879
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Impact of Type of Sport, Gender and Age on Red Blood Cell Deformability of Elite Athletes

Fabian Tomschi
1   Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Wilhelm Bloch
1   Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
2   The German Research Center of Elite Sport (momentum), German Sport University Cologne, Germany
,
Marijke Grau
1   Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf



accepted 07. September 2017

Publikationsdatum:
17. November 2017 (online)

Abstract

Our objective was to detect possible differences in red blood cell (RBC) deformability of elite athletes performing different types of sports and being of different age and gender.182 athletes were included in this cross-sectional study. RBC deformability was measured using the laser-assisted optical rotational cell-analyzer. Maximal elongation index (EI max) and shear stress at half-maximum deformation (SS 1/2) were calculated. The ratio SS 1/2 /EI max (EI Ratio) was calculated with low values representing high RBC deformation. Hematocrit (Hct) and mean cellular volume (MCV) were determined in venous blood. Overall RBC deformability did not differ between male and female athletes but, when separated by age of the subjects, RBC deformability increased with age in male but not in female athletes. RBC deformability was lower in Combat sports compared other sport groups. Hct was higher in male compared to female athletes while no difference was observed for MCV. MCV and Hct increased with increasing age. A negative correlation was found between the EI Ratio and MCV and between EI Ratio and Hct. Conclusion: RBC deformability is influenced by age and endurance rate of the sport which suggests that the RBC system may adapt to changing conditions such as adolescence with the onset effects of sex hormones or physical exercise.

 
  • References

  • 1 Baskurt OK, Hardeman MR, Uyuklu M, Ulker P, Cengiz M, Nemeth N, Meiselman HJ. Parameterization of red blood cell elongation index – shear stress curves obtained by ektacytometry. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 2009; 69: 777-788
  • 2 Baskurt OK, Meiselman HJ. Data reduction methods for ektacytometry in clinical hemorheology. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2013; 54: 99-107
  • 3 Beggs LA, Yarrow JF, Conover CF, Meuleman JR, Beck DT, Morrow M, Borst SE. Testosterone alters iron metabolism and stimulates red blood cell production independently of dihydrotestosterone. Am J Physiol 2014; 307: E456-E461
  • 4 Beneke R, Bihn D, Hütler M, Leithäuser RM. Haemolysis caused by alterations of alpha- and beta-spectrin after 10 to 35 min of severe exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2005; 95: 307-312
  • 5 Bizjak DA, Brinkmann C, Bloch W, Grau M. Increase in red blood cell-nitric oxide synthase dependent nitric oxide production during red blood cell aging in health and disease: A study on age dependent changes of rheologic and enzymatic properties in red blood cells. PLoS One 2015; 10: e0125206
  • 6 Bosman GJCGM, Lasonder E, Groenen-Döpp YAM, Willekens FLA, Werre JM, Novotný VMJ. Comparative proteomics of erythrocyte aging in vivo and in vitro. J Proteomics 2010; 73: 396-402
  • 7 Brun JF, Varlet-Marie E, Connes P, Aloulou I. Hemorheological alterations related to training and overtraining. Biorheology 2010; 47: 95-115
  • 8 Brun JF, Varlet-Marie E, Fédou C, Raynaud de Mauverger E. One-year follow-up of blood viscosity factors and hematocrit/viscosity ratio in elite soccer players. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 64: 799-808
  • 9 Caimi G, Canino B, Amodeo G, Ingargiola P, Lucido D, Calandrino V, Lo Presti R. Erythrocyte deformability and nitric oxide Metabolites in athletes before and after a cardiopulmonary test. Clin J Sport Med 2009; 19: 306-310
  • 10 Connes P, Bouix D, Py G, Prefaut C, Mercier J, Brun JF, Caillaud C. Opposite effects of in vitro lactate on erythrocyte deformability in athletes and untrained subjects. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2004; 31: 311-318
  • 11 Filipovic A, Kleinöder H, Plück D, Hollmann W, Bloch W, Grau M. Influence of whole-body electrostimulation on human red blood cell deformability. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 2570-2578
  • 12 Franco RS. The measurement and importance of red cell survival. Am J Hematol 2009; 84: 109-114
  • 13 Gaudard A, Varlet-Marie E, Bressolle F, Mercier J, Brun JF. Hemorheological correlates of fitness and unfitness in athletes: Moving beyond the apparent "paradox of hematocrit"?. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2003; 28: 161-173
  • 14 Grau M, Pauly S, Ali J, Walpurgis K, Thevis M, Bloch W, Suhr F. RBC-NOS-dependent s-nitrosylation of cytoskeletal proteins improves RBC deformability. PLoS One 2013; 8: e56759
  • 15 Guillet R, Driss F, Perrotin P, Pautou C, Nalpas B, Boynard M. Gender, menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives and red blood cell deformability in healthy adult subjects. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 1998; 19: 83-88
  • 16 Hardeman MR, Dobbe JG, Ince C. The laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORCA) as red blood cell aggregometer. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2001; 25: 1-11
  • 17 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2016 update. Int J Sports Med 2015; 36: 1121-1124
  • 18 Kamada T, Tokuda S, Aozaki S, Otsuji S. Higher levels of erythrocyte membrane fluidity in sprinters and long-distance runners. J Appl Physiol 1993; 74: 354-358
  • 19 Kameneva MV, Watach MJ, Borovetz HS. Gender difference in rheologic properties of blood and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 1999; 21: 357-363
  • 20 Koliamitra C, Holtkamp B, Zimmer P, Bloch W, Grau M. Impact of training volume and intensity on RBC-NOS/NO pathway and endurance capacity. Biorheology 2017 Advance online publication
  • 21 Mairbäurl H. Red blood cells in sports: Effects of exercise and training on oxygen supply by red blood cells. Front Physiol 2013; 4: 1-13
  • 22 Mchedlishvili G, Maeda N. Blood flow structure related to red cell flow: Determinant of blood flow in narrow microvessels. Jpn J Physiol 2001; 51: 19-30
  • 23 Nader GA. Concurrent strength and endurance training: From molecules to man. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006; 38: 1965-1970
  • 24 Nageswari K, Banerjee R, Gupte RV, Puniyani RR. Effects of exercise on rheological and microcirculatory parameters. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2000; 23: 243-247
  • 25 Nakano T, Wada Y, Matsumura S. Membrane lipid components associated with increased filterability of erythrocytes from long-distance runners. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2001; 24: 85-92
  • 26 Rabai M, Detterich JA, Wenby RB, Toth K, Meiselman HJ. Effects of ethanol on red blood cell rheological behavior. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2014; 56: 87-99
  • 27 Reinhart WH. The optimum hematocrit. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 64: 575-585
  • 28 Shahani S, Braga-Basaria M, Maggio M, Basaria S. Androgens and erythropoiesis: Past and present. J Endocrinol Invest 2009; 32: 704-716
  • 29 Shaskey DJ, Green GA. Sports Haematology. Sports Med 2000; 29: 27-38
  • 30 Smith JA, Martin DT, Telford RD, Ballas SK. Greater erythrocyte deformability in world-class endurance athletes. Am J Physiol 1999; 276: 2188-2193
  • 31 Suhr F, Brenig J, Muller R, Behrens H, Bloch W, Grau M. Moderate exercise promotes human RBC-NOS activity, NO production and deformability through Akt kinase pathway. PLoS One 2012; 7 (09) e45982
  • 32 Szygula Z. Erythrocytic system under the influence of physical exercise and training. Sports Med 1990; 10: 181-197
  • 33 Telford RD, Sly GJ, Hahn AG, Cunningham RB, Bryant C, Smith JA. Footstrike is the major cause of hemolysis during running. J Appl Physiol 2003; 94: 38-42
  • 34 Tempelhoff GFV, Schelkunov O, Demirhan A, Tsikouras P, Rath W, Velten E, Csorba R. Correlation between blood rheological properties and red blood cell indices (MCH, MCV, MCHC) in healthy women. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 62: 45-54
  • 35 Ulrich G, Bartsch P, Friedmann-Bette B. Total haemoglobin mass and red blood cell profile in endurance-trained and non-endurance-trained adolescent athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111: 2855-2864
  • 36 Weight LM, Klein M, Noakes TD, Jacobs P. 'Sports anemia' -a real or apparent phenomenon in endurance-trained athletes?. Int J Sports Med 1992; 13: 344-347
  • 37 Weight LM, Byrne MJ, Jacobs P. Haemolytic effects of exercise. Clin Sci 1991; 81: 147-152
  • 38 Weineck J. (ed) Optimales training: Leistungsphysiologische trainingslehre unter besonderer berücksichtigung des kinder- und jugendtrainings. Balingen: Spitta; 2010
  • 39 Yalcin O, Erman A, Muratli S, Bor-Kucukatay M, Baskurt OK. Time course of hemorheological alterations after heavy anaerobic exercise in untrained human subjects. J Appl Physiol 2003; 94: 997-1002
  • 40 Zinner C, Sperlich B, Wahl P, Mester J. Classification of selected cardiopulmonary variables of elite athletes of different age, gender, and disciplines during incremental exercise testing. Springerplus 2015; 4: 544