Abstract
PurposeWe investigated association of hematological variables with specific fitness performance in elite team-sport players.MethodsHemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured in 25 elite field hockey players using the optimized (2 min) CO-rebreathing method. Hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed in venous blood. Fitness performance evaluation included a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test (8 x 20 m sprints, 20 s of rest) and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 (YYIR2).ResultsHbmass was largely correlated (r = 0.62, P<0.01) with YYIR2 total distance covered (YYIR2TD) but not with any RSA-derived parameters (r ranging from -0.06 to -0.32; all P>0.05). [Hb] and MCHC displayed moderate correlations with both YYIR2TD (r = 0.44 and 0.41; both P<0.01) and RSA sprint decrement score (r = -0.41 and -0.44; both P<0.05). YYIR2TD correlated with RSA best and total sprint times (r = -0.46, P<0.05 and -0.60, P<0.01; respectively), but not with RSA sprint decrement score (r = -0.19, P>0.05).ConclusionHbmass is positively correlated with specific aerobic fitness, but not with RSA, in elite team-sport players. Additionally, the negative relationships between YYIR2 and RSA tests performance imply that different hematological mechanisms may be at play. Overall, these results indicate that these two fitness tests should not be used interchangeably as they reflect different hematological mechanisms.
Highlights
Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) represents a major convective determinant of oxygen (O2) supply to active muscle [1]
Hbmass was largely correlated (r = 0.62, P0.05). [Hb] and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) displayed moderate correlations with both YYIR2TD (r = 0.44 and 0.41; both P
YYIR2TD correlated with RSA best and total sprint times (r = -0.46, P
Summary
Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) represents a major convective determinant of oxygen (O2) supply to active muscle [1]. Previous studies compared Hbmass, blood morphology, BV [7, 8], as well as iron metabolism [7] between endurance and powerbased disciplines It results that exercise type, training workloads and duration affect the levels of the aforementioned blood indices with a more pronounced decreased iron stores in endurance sports, due to the ‘traumatic’ side-effect of running [7]. Such evaluation in team sports is scarce—to date, iron status was not associated to Hbmass or to V O2max in elite field hockey players [9]–and this may relate to the diverging viewpoints in the literature [10] regarding the usefulness of hematological and iron-related variables screening of elite team-sport athletes. Inclusion of a Hbmass evaluation as part of the regular team sports screening may bring additional insight into the underlying hematological adaptive mechanisms to training and competition
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