Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(4): 283-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865676
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Hematologic Data in World Elite Junior Speed Skaters and in Non-Athletic Juniors

A. Mayr1 , H. Kuipers2 , M. Falk3 , P. Santer1 , B. Wierer1
  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Hospital of Brunico, Italy
  • 2University Maastricht, Faculty of Health Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands
  • 3Inova Q Inc., Bolzano, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 10, 2005

Publication Date:
11 July 2005 (online)

Abstract

During the world junior speed skating championship 2002 all athletes (60 males, 56 females) were subjected to hematologic blood testing one day before the competition as requested by International Skating Union - ISU. This study aimed to obtain hematological reference values for junior athletes, whilst the influence of endurance training on hematologic variables of young athletes was studied. Hematologic results of athletes were compared to results of non-athletes matched by age and gender (14 males, 17 females). The blood analysis was done on an ADVIA 120. To compare measurement of ferritin, erythropoietin, and soluble transferrin receptor in serum as well as in EDTA-plasma, serum and EDTA-blood was obtained from the control group. In hemoglobin and hematocrit we found no significant difference between the two groups, whereas the number of erythrocytes was lower in athletes. The mean corpuscular volume was higher in athletes, whilst the corpuscular hemoglobin content was only marginally higher in athletes than in non-athletes. Consequently corpuscular hemoglobin concentration mean was lower in athletes than in non-athletes. There was no difference of erythropoietin and soluble transferrin receptor, whilst in ferritin we found a difference between the groups. Endurance training does not change the values of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Increased mean corpuscular volume and decreased corpuscular hemoglobin concentration mean could be a result of changed properties of red blood cell-membrane caused by acidosis and higher osmolality during the training. In junior athletes we did not find an iron overload as described in some adult athletes.

References

  • 1 Ashenden M. A strategy to deter blood doping in sport.  Haematologica. 2002;  87 225-234
  • 2 Beguin Y. The soluble transferrin receptor: biological aspects and clinical usefulness as quantitative measure of erythropoiesis.  Haematologica. 1992;  77 1-10
  • 3 Benson E W, Hardy R, Chaffin C, Robinson C A, Konrad R J. New automated chemiluminiscent assay for erythropoietin.  J Clin Lab Anal. 2000;  14 271-273
  • 4 Bernardi L, Roach R C, Keyl C, Spicuzza L, Passino C, Bonfichi M, Gamboa A, Gamboa J, Malcovati L, Schneider A, Casiraghi N, Mori A, Leon-Velarde F. Ventilation, autonomic function, sleep and erythropoietin. Roach RC, Wagner PD, Hackett PH Hypoxia: Through the Lifecycle. New York; Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisher 2003: 161-175
  • 5 Birkeland K I, Stray-Gundersen J, Hemmersbach P, Hallen J, Haug E, Bahr R. Effect of rhEPO administration on serum levels of sTfR and cycling performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1238-1243
  • 6 Böning D, Cristancho E, Serrato M, Reyes O, Mora M, Coy L, Rojas J. Hemoglobin mass and peak oxygen uptake in untrained and trained female altitude residents.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 561-568
  • 7 Brugnara C. Reticulocyte cellular indices: a new approach in the diagnosis of anemias and monitoring of erythropoietic function.  Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2000;  37 93-130
  • 8 Casale R, Pasqualetti P. Diurnal rhythm of serum erythropoietin circulating levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Panminerva Med. 1997;  39 183-185
  • 9 Casoni I, Ricci G, Ballarin C, Borsetto C, Grazzi G, Guglielmini C, Manfredini F, Mazzoni G, Patracchini M, De Paoli Vitali E, Rigolin F, Bartalotta S, Franzè G P, Masotti M, Conconi F. Hematological indices of erythropoietin administration in athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 1993;  14 307-311
  • 10 Cazzola M. A global strategy for prevention and detection of blood doping with erythropietin and related drugs [Editorial].  Haematologica. 2000;  85 561-563
  • 11 Gore C J, Hahn A G, Burge C M, Telford R D. V·O2max and haemoglobin mass of trained athletes during high intensity training.  Int J Sports Med. 1997;  18 477-482
  • 12 Guglielmini C, Casoni I, Patracchini M, Manfredini F, Grazzi G, Ferrari M, Conconi F. Reduction of Hb levels during the racing season in nonsideropenic professional cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 1989;  10 352-356
  • 13 Gunga H C, Roecker L. Comparative response of EPO and soluble transferrin receptor at high altitude.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 1492
  • 14 Holm S. A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure.  Scand J Statist. 1979;  6 65-70
  • 15 Houston W JB. The analysis of errors in orthodontic measurements.  Am J Orthod. 1983;  83 382-390
  • 16 International Skating Union .ISU Communication no. 1193 ISU Anti-Doping Code. www.isu.org . January.1.2003
  • 17 International Skating Union .ISU Communication no. 1194 Detection of blood manipulation. www.isu.org . January.1.2003
  • 18 Jelkmann W. Erythropoietin.  J Endocrinol Invest. 2003;  26 832-837
  • 19 Kling G. Using the ADVIA 120 for Sports Events: Calibration Procedures. Internal Report Bayer Corporation. Tarrytown, NY, USA; Bayer Health Care LLC 2001
  • 20 Lasne F, Ceaurriz Jde. Recombinant erythropoietin in urine.  Nature. 2000;  405 635
  • 21 Lippi G, Guidi G. Laboratory screening for erythropoietin abuse in sport: an emerging challenge.  Clin Chem Lab Med. 2000;  38 13-19
  • 22 Major A, Mathez-Loic F, Gautschi K, Brugnara C. The effect of intravenous iron on the reticulocyte response to recombinant human erythropoietin.  Br J Haematol. 1997;  98 292-294
  • 23 McArdle W D, Katch F I, Katch V L. Exercise Phsyiology. 5th ed. New York:; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2001: 276-277
  • 24 Parisotto R, Gore C J, Emslie K R, Ashenden M J, Brugnara C, Howe C, Martin T M, Trout G J, Hahn A G. A novel method utilising markers of altered erythropoiesis for the detection of recombinant human erythropoietin abuse in athletes.  Haematologica. 2000;  85 564-572
  • 25 Parisotto R, Gore C J, Hahn A G, Ashenden M J, Olds T S, Martin D T, Pyne D B, Gawthorn K, Brugnara C. Reticulocyte parameters as potential discriminators of recombinant human erythropoietin abuse in elite athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 471-479
  • 26 Parisotto R, Wu M, Ashenden M J, Emslie K R, Gore C J, Howe C, Kazlauskas R, Sharpe K, Trout G J, Xie M, Hahn A G. Detection of recombinant human erythropoietin abuse in athletes utilizing markers of altered erythropoiesis.  Haematologica. 2001;  86 128-137
  • 27 Robach P, Fulla Y, Westerterp K R, Richalet J P. Comparative response of EPO and soluble transferrin receptor at high altitude.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 1493-1498
  • 28 Robinson N, Saugy M, Mangin P. Effects of exercise on the secondary blood markers commonly used to suspect erythropoietin doping.  Clin Lab. 2003;  49 57-62
  • 29 Röcker L, Hinz K, Holland K, Gung H C, Vogelsang J, Kiesewetter H. Influence of endurance exercise (triathlon) on circulating transferrin receptors and other indicators of iron status in female athletes.  Clin Lab. 2002;  48 303-312
  • 30 Röcker L, Kirsch K A, Stoboy H. Plasma volume, albumin and globulin concentrations and their intravascular masses. A comparative study in endurance athletes and sedentary subjects.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1976;  36 57-64
  • 31 Schmidt W, Bierman B, Winchenbach P, Lison S, Böning D. How valid is the determination of haematocrit values to detect blood manipulations?.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 133-138
  • 32 Thomas L. Labor und Diagnose. 5th ed. Frankfurt/Main; TH-Books 2000: 483
  • 33 Van den Bossche J, Devreese K, Malfait R, Van de Vyvere M, De Schouwer P. Comparison of the reticulocyte mode of the Abx Pentra 120 Retic, Coulter General-S, Sysmex SE 9500, Abbott CD 4000 and Bayer Advia 120 haematology analysers in a simultaneous evaluation.  Clin Lab Haematol. 2001;  23 355-360
  • 34 Van den Bossche J, Devreese K, Malfait R, Van de Vyvere M, Wauters A, Neels H, De Schouwer P. Reference intervals for a complete blood count determined on different automated haematology analysers: Abx Pentra 120 Retic, Coulter Gen-S, Sysmex SE 9500, Abbott Cell Dyn 4000 and Bayer Advia 120.  Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002;  40 69-73
  • 35 World Anti-Doping Agency .WADA, List of prohibited Substances and Methods. http://www.wada-ama.org. In effect January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. 

Agnes Mayr

Laboratory of Clinical Pathology
Hospital of Brunico

39031 Brunico

Italy

Phone: + 390474581375

Fax: + 39 04 74 58 13 71

Email: agnes.mayr@as-brunico.it

    >