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Int J Sports Med 1989; 10(5): 352-356
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024927
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Reduction of Hb Levels During the Racing Season in Nonsideropenic Professional Cyclists*

C. Guglielmini, I. Casoni, M. Patracchini, F. Manfredini, G. Grazzi, M. Ferrari, F. Conconi
  • Centro di Ricerche Biomediche Applicate allo Sport, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
* Supported by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Hematological variables of 40 professional cyclists, all receiving intravenous iron supplementation, were followed during a 15-month period. Mean values for red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) were significantly lower during the racing season (RS) than during the nonracing periods (NRP) (RBC: RS = 4.53±0.34 millions/mm3, NRP = 5.09±0.36 millions/mm3; line 7 of abstract: Hb: RS = 14.2±0.9 g/dl, MRS =15.2±0.9 g/dl; Ht: RS = 40.7±2.7% NRP = 44.4±2.9%; P<0.001 for all). However, mean values for ferritin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher during the racing season (ferritin: RS = 422±398 ng/ml, NRP=311±321 ng/ml, P<0.05; MCH: RS=31.5±1.3 pg, NRP=30.0±1.4pg; P<0.001).

These results suggest that the reductions in RBC, Hb, and Ht found in professional cyclists during the racing season are not the consequence of a diminution of iron stores but rather of reduced erythropoiesis and increased RBC destruction.

Key words

sports anemia - ferritin - endurance sport - cycling

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