Reference ranges of biochemical blood parameters in juvenile athletes

Abstract

Reference ranges of blood parameters adapted for young athletes are necessary for proper assessment and timely detection of deviations in the state of health.Purpose. A comparative analysis of the reference ranges of some biochemical blood parameters calculated on a sample of thousands of athletes under 18 years old, members of Russian national teams, versus similar indices of children not engaged in sports obtained in the framework of projects carried out in Canada and in Scandinavian countries.Results. Differences in the width of reference ranges, their minimum and maximum values between the compared groups for several indicators of protein and lipid metabolism, cortisol and testosterone aredescribed. The authors discuss the expediency of further development of reference ranges of blood parameters, which consider sex, age of athletes, and specifics of sports.Conclusion. The specified data on reference ranges of blood indices are necessary for clearer differentiation and objective evaluation of adaptational transformations arising against the background of physical loads, as well astimely detection of pathological deviations in the functional state of juvenile athletes’ organism and prognosis of their further development.