DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS ANEMIA IN PHYSICALLY FIT MEN AFTER DAILY SUSTAINED SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (1) , 41-45
Abstract
Hematological changes were studied in physically fit young soldiers who marched 35 km/day for 6 days, working at 35% of their VO2 max. Four days of marching produced decreases in numbers of erythrocytes (RBC) and in hematocrit (Hct). This sports anemia persisted beyond day 6 into the post-march period and was accompanied by decreases in Hb, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The latter decrease was attributed to a preferential destruction of large RBC. The post-march period was characterized by an early (2 days) recovery of RBC numbers, Hct and MCV, and a persistent (> 4 days) decrease in Hb, MCH and MCHC. This pattern, characteristic of hypochromic macrocystosis, possibly reflects a premature release of young RBC from the bone marrow. Sports anemia, previously reported to occur with intensive physical exercise, can also result from sustained and repetitive submaximal exercise.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: