Abstract
Doping in endurance sports disciplines has become a major problem demanding for innovative detection methods. Taking into account that the key aim of manipulation is the increase of total hemoglobin mass (tHb), which is directly correlated to maximum aerobic performance, a routine monitoring of this parameter is desirable. This would allow a fast screening of every athlete, leading to follow-up testing or medical examination if the tHb profile deviates substantially from the expected one. Such a procedure requires the knowledge about normal variation of tHb and its discrimination to the effects of manipulation. PURPOSE To examine the physiological changes of tHb during a training year and after altitude training. METHODS In study I tHb, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), and Hct of 11 highly trained athletes (6 triathletes, training volume 15–30h/week; 5 cyclists, 10–25h/week) and 6 leisure sportsmen (2–10h/week) were determined 5 times during a training year. In study II the same blood parameters of 5 world class cyclists were measured before and 4 days after a 3-week altitude training camp at 2150m. tHb was determined by the CO-re-breathing method showing a typical error of 1,7% corresponding to a limit of agreement (95 %) of 3.3%. RESULTS Study I: The mean tHb value of the triathletes was 1039 ± 73g (relative tHb (rtHb) 14,4 ± 0,6g/kg), of the cyclists 1019 ± 121g (rtHb 14,2 ± 1,1g/kg) and of the leisure sportsmen 782 ± 49g (rtHb 11,9 ± 0,9g/kg). Mean tHb did not significantly change over the whole year in any group. The triathletes showed the highest oscillation with a mean maximum of 4,2 ± 1,9%, followed by the leisure sportsmen (2,7 ± 2,9%) and the cyclists (2,3 ± 1,8%). The individual maximum differences ranged from −5,6% to +7,6%. Changes in [Hb] and Hct did not show any coherence to the changes in tHb. Study II: The mean tHb was 1083 ± 60g (rtHb 15,8 ± 1,0g/kg) before and 1143 ± 72g (rtHb 17,0 ± 1,5g/kg) after altitude training, resulting in a difference of 5,5 ± 3,1%. The least increase in tHb was 1,6%, the largest 9,6%. Changes in [Hb] and hct showed a slight but not significant correlation to changes in tHb (p <0,2). CONCLUSION tHb does not considerably change during a training year at sea level whereas tHb after altitude training can exceed the limits of agreement in several cases. tHb values calculated for blood manipulation (in the range of + 15%) are, however, not reached. We therefore propose to use tHb measurements as a screening tool for endurance athletes to detect suspicious changes in tHb. [Hb] and Hct are less reliable parameters in this respect. Partly supported by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call