Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal variations of haematological parameters in athletes

  • Review Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influence of training and competition workloads is crucial for evaluation of longitudinal haematological data in athletes. There are only a few papers on the variation of haematological parameters during long-lasting periods and, especially, during an entire competitive season. We summarized that some haematological parameters can be influenced by long-term training and competition periods. Haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) are decreased during the more intense periods of training, throughout the season. In different sport disciplines, the decline of Hb ranges from 3 to 8% during the competition season, while the range of reticulocytes (Ret%) varies from 5 to 21%. Reticulocytes are also decreased after long periods of training and competitions, but their variation is not necessarily associated with that of Hb. The qualitative variations (trend of modifications) of haematological parameters are roughly independent of the sport discipline, but quantitatively (amount of modifications) dependent on sport discipline. The modifications are more evident in cycling, running, swimming than they are in football and rugby. The variations of haematological parameters within the same sport discipline are qualitatively concordant and quantitatively different among separate but consecutive competitive seasons. These findings are described in aerobic and team sports sportsmen. The definition of reliable reference ranges in sportsmen would only be possible by following the best laboratory practices. For antidoping purposes more studies investigating haematological modifications during the season are advisable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abellan R, Ventura R, Pichini S, Palmi I, Bellver M, Olive R, Pacifici R, Pascual JA, Zuccaro P, Segura J (2007) Effect of physical fitness and endurance exercise on indirect biomarkers of recombinant erythropoietin misuse. Int J Sports Med 28:9–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashenden MJ, Sharpe K, Damsgaard R, Jarvis L (2004) Standardization of reticulocyte values in an antidoping context. Am J Clin Pathol 121:816–825

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Del Fabbro M (2007) Behaviour of reticulocyte counts and immature reticulocyte fraction during a competitive season in élite athletes of four different sports. Int J Lab Hematol 29:127–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Dolci A, Freschi M, Verdini C (2005) Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) monitored in elite athletes during a whole season. Clin Lab Haemat 27:213–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Del Fabbro M, Mauri C, Corsi MM, Melegati G (2006a) Haematological parameters in elite rugby players during a competitive season. Clin Lab Haemat 28:183–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Mauri C, Morelli B, Di Gaetano N, Malgeri U, Melegati G (2006b) Reticulocyte count, mean reticulocyte volume, immature reticulocyte fraction, and mean sphered cell volume in elite athletes: reference values and comparison with the general population. Clin Chem Lab Med 44:616–622

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Di Gaetano N, Simon Lopez R, Melegati G (2007) Decreased Mean Sphered Cell Volume values in top-level rugby players are related to the intravascular hemolysis induced by exercise. Lab Hematol 13:103–107

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banfi G, Lombardi G, Colombini A, Lippi G (2010) A world apart. Inaccuracies of laboratory methodologies in antidoping testing. Clin Chim Acta 411:1003–1008

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkeland KI, Donike M, Ljungqvist A, Fagerhol M, Jensen J, Hemmersbach P, Oftebro H, Haug E (1997) Blood sampling in doping control. First experience from regular testing in athletics. Int J Sports Med 18:8–12

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brugniaux JV, Schmitt L, Robach P, Nicolet G, Fouillot JP, Moutereau S, Lasne F, Pialoux V, Saas P, Chorvot MC, Cornolo J, Olsen NV, Richalet JP (2006) Eighteen days of “living high, training low” stimulate erythropoiesis and enhance aerobic performance in elite middle-distance runners. J Appl Physiol 100:203–211

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Santolo M, Stel G, Banfi G, Gonano F, Cauci S (2008) Anemia and iron status in young fertile non-professional female athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 102:703–709

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eastwood A, Hopkins WG, Bourdn PC, Withers RT, Gore CJ (2008) Stability of haemoglobin mass over 100 days in active men. J Appl Physiol 104:982–985

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guglielmini C, Casoni I, Patracchini M, Manfredini F, Grazzi G, Ferrari M, Conconi F (1989) Reduction of Hb levels during the racing season in nonsideropenic professional cyclists. Int J Sports Med 10:352–356

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson PI, Ullum H, Jensen K, Secher NH (2009) A retrospective cohort study of blood hemoglobin levels in blood donors and competitive rowers. Scand J Med Sci Sports 19:92–95

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malcovati L, Pascutto C, Cazzola M (2003) Hematologic passport for athletes competing in endurance sports: a feasibility study. Haematologica 88:570–581

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manfredini F, Carrabre JE, Litmanen H, Zhukovskaja L, Malagoni AM, Dal Follo D, Haberstroh J (2003) Blood tests and fair competition: the biathlon experience. Int J Sports Med 24:352–358

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr A, Kuipers H, Falk M, Falk M, Santer P, Wierer B (2006) Comparison of hematologic data in world elite junior speed skaters and in non-athletic juniors. Int J Sports Med 27:283–288

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mercer KW, Densmore JJ (2005) Hematologic disorders in the athletes. Clin Sports Med 24:599–621

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller BJ, Pate RR, Burgess W (1988) Foot impact force and intravascular hemolysis during distance running. Int J Sports Med 9:56–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mørkeberg J, Saltin B, Belhage B, Damsgaard R (2009a) Blood profiles in elite cross-country skiers: a 6-year follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports 19:198–205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mørkeberg JS, Belhage B, Damsgaard R (2009b) Changes in blood values in elite cyclist. Int J Sports Med 30:130–138

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ostojic SM, Ahmetovic Z (2009) Indicators of iron status in elite soccer players during the sports season. Int J Lab Hem 31:447–452

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parisotto R, Gore CJ, Hahn AG, Ashenden MJ, Olds TS, Martin DT, Pyne DB, Gawthorn K, Brugnara C (2000) Reticulocyte parameters as potential discriminators of recombinant human erythropoietin abuse in elite athletes. Int J Sports Med 21:471–479

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peeling P, Dawson B, Goodman C, Landers G, Trinder D (2008) Athletic induced iron deficiency: new insights into the role of inflammation, cytokines and hormones. Eur J Appl Physiol 103:381–391

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pizza KX, Flynn MG, Boone JB, Rodriguez-Zayas JR, Andres FF (1997) Serum haptoglobin and ferritin during a competitive running and swimming season. Int J Sports Med 18:233–237

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prommer N, Sottas PE, Schoch C, Schumacher YO, Schmidt W (2008) Total hemoglobin mass—a new parameter to detect blood doping? Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:2112–2118

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rjetjens GJWM, Kuipers H, Hartgens F, Keizer HA (2002) Red blood cell profile of elite Olympic distance traithletes. A three-year follow-up. Int J Sports Med 23:391–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson N, Schattenberg L, Zorzoli M, Mangin P, Saugy M (2005) Haematological analysis conducted at the departure of the Tour de France 2001. Int J Sports Med 26:200–207

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson N, Sottas PE, Mangin P, Saugy M (2007) Bayesian detection of abnormal haematological values to introduce a no-start rule for heterogeneous populations of athletes. Haematologica 92:1143–1144

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher YO, Jankovits R, Bultermann D, Schmid A, Berg A (2002) Hematological indices in elite cyclists. Scand J Med Sci Sports; 12:301–308

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe K, Hopkins W, Emslie KR, Howe C, Trout GJ, Kazlauskas R, Ashenden MJ, Gore CJ, Parisotto R, Hahn AG (2002) Development of reference ranges in elite athletes for markers of altered erythropoiesis. Haematologica 87:1248–1257

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sottas PE, Robinson N, Saugy M, Niggli O (2008) A forensic approach to the interpretation of blood doping markers. Law Probab Risk 7:191–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sottas PE, Robinson N, Saugy M (2009) The athlete’s biological passport and indirect markers of blood doping. Handb Exp Pharmacol 195:305–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telford RD, Sly GJ, Hahn AG, Cunningham RB, Bryant C, Smith JA (2003) Footstrike is the major cause of hemolysis during running. J Appl Physiol 94:38–42

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vergouwen PCJ, Collée T, Marx JJM (1999) Hematocrit in elite athletes. Int J Sports Med 20:538–541

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright LM, Klein M, Noakes TD, Jacobs P (1992) “Sports anemia”—a real or apparent phenomenon in endurance-trained athletes? Int J Sports Med 13:344–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCCS Galeazzi and School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Banfi

  2. Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Carsten Lundby

  3. Ecole Nationale de Ski e d’Alpinisme, Chamonix, France

    Paul Robach

  4. Laboratorio Analisi, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy

    Giuseppe Lippi

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Banfi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carsten Lundby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paul Robach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giuseppe Lippi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giuseppe Banfi.

Additional information

Communicated by Susan Ward.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Banfi, G., Lundby, C., Robach, P. et al. Seasonal variations of haematological parameters in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 9–16 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1641-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1641-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation