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Haemoglobin mass in cyclists during stage racing
Y O Schumacher1, T Pottgiesser, C Ahlgrim
1Abteilung Sportmedizin, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, Freiburg, Germany. olaf@msm1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|July 7, 2007
Summary
Elite cyclists maintained stable haemoglobin mass during a race, despite decreased haemoglobin concentration. This suggests haemoglobin mass is a reliable indicator for detecting blood doping, unlike traditional haematocrit or haemoglobin concentration tests.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Haemoglobin mass is a key factor in maximal oxygen uptake and a target for blood doping.
- Current blood doping indicators like haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration are limited as they reflect concentration, not total mass, and are affected by fluid shifts.
- Direct measurement of haemoglobin mass could offer a more accurate method for detecting blood doping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of heavy exercise on haemoglobin mass and other vascular compartments in athletes.
- To determine if haemoglobin mass changes during prolonged strenuous physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the optimized carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method to assess haemoglobin mass and vascular compartments.
- Evaluated 7 elite cyclists during a stage race.
- Simultaneously monitored haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit levels.
Main Results:
- Haemoglobin mass and red cell volume remained stable (pre-race 958 +/- 123 g, end race 948 +/- 106 g) throughout the race.
- Plasma volume and total blood volume showed a tendency to increase.
- Haematocrit (pre-race 44.1 +/- 2.5 %, end race 40.9 +/- 1.59 %) and haemoglobin concentration (pre-race 15.8 +/- 0.9 g/dl, end race 14.7 +/- 0.7 g/dl) significantly decreased.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged exercise induced plasma volume expansion, leading to a decrease in haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit.
- Despite these changes, haemoglobin mass remained constant, indicating its stability during intense exercise.
- Haemoglobin mass measurement shows potential as a reliable screening tool for detecting blood doping manipulations.
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