Abstract
Background: Measurement of haematological parameters has been historically helpful in the diagnosis of many diseases in endurance sportsmen. The modifications of these parameters during endurance race have not yet been evaluated in many African countries. Objectives: To determine haematological values before and immediately after a half-marathon event, as well as within 24 hours after the race and to analyze the changes observed. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 to 21 August 2018 at Brazzaville, Congo. All measurements were confined to 76 male participants (39 specialists vs 37 no specialists of endurance race) in the Brazzaville half-marathon (21.1 km), aged between 19 - 39 years (mean age: 26.7 ± 2.6 years). Coulter profiles with differential white cell counts and haptoglobin levels were determined in venous sample before and after competitive half-marathon race. The same measurements were performed during the 24 hrs following the competition. Results: In the pre-race sample, mild anemia was detected in 12 subjects and mild thrombocytopenia in 7 subjects. Haptoglobin levels were reduced in 5 subjects. Haematological values, all post-race, varied significantly before and after race, particularly for RBC, Hb, Hct, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, monocyte counts, basophil counts, eosinophil counts and haptoglobin. These differences between specialists and no specialists were statistically (p < 0.05). During 24 h after race, the major changes involved a progressive and significant increase in MCH and MCHC, but a decrease in Hb, Hct, WBC and leukocyte values. Conclusion: Our data may help sport physicians, sport physiologists and trainers to better follow-up haematological reactions associated with the half-marathon race.
Highlights
The half-marathon is the most commonly used term for the 21.1 km running sport event
At the end of this process, 124 subjects were selected. Those were to obey criteria for inclusion following: Congolese of ethnic origin and ethnicity; reside on Congolese territory for at least one year; be unharmed one month before diseases; a hemoglobin level more than 11.5 g/dL; have participated in at least one Brazzaville Half Marathon competition in the last five years; be 18 years of age and under 40 years of age; informed and written consent to participate in the study
The results of this study show that the haematological changes associated with the half-marathon race in the African tropics as elsewhere, are very specific to this type of effort
Summary
The half-marathon is the most commonly used term for the 21.1 km running sport event. In sub-Saharan black Africa, in the Congo, no study has been conducted on the immediate physiological effects of the half-marathon on haematological changes involving peripheral blood components and 24 hours after the competition. These can be related to the subjects and the form of the race, and to the climatic conditions and the topography of the road. Haematological values, all post-race, varied significantly before and after race, for RBC, Hb, Hct, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, monocyte counts, basophil counts, eosinophil counts and haptoglobin These differences between specialists and no specialists were statistically (p < 0.05). During 24 h after race, the major changes involved a progressive and signifi-
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