From Preparation to Competitive Period in Soccer: Hematological Changes

Abstract

Abstract Hematological parameters affect the aerobic capacity which is considered as basic for technical and tactical development of soccer players. However, the hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (HBG), hematocrit (HCT), red blood cells (RBC), iron status and ferritin concentration, change throughout a season. Therefore, the current longitudinal study aimed to examine the changes of hematological parameters in professional soccer players throughout a 6-month period. The researchers examined 25 soccer players (25.7 ± 2.1) at the beginning of the preparation period, at the middle, and at the end of the preparation period, as well as at the competitive period. The results indicated that in the first part of the preparation period there was an increasing trend for all the hematological parameters. This trend developed significant increases at the end of the preparation period, which corresponds at the beginning of the competitive period. In summary, the current findings showed that the players improve and maintain their hematological values throughout the season because of aerobic training during preparation period.