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Physiological responses of sickle cell trait carriers during exercise
Philippe Connes1, Harvey Reid, Marie-Dominique Hardy-Dessources
1Laboratory ACTES UPRES-EA 3596, Department of Physiology, University of the French West Indies, Campus de Fouillole, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, French West Indies. pconnes@yahoo.fr
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers exhibit unique physiological responses during exercise, with potential advantages in anaerobic activities but unclear mechanisms. Further research is needed to understand these differences and ensure athlete safety.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Hematology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Growing evidence suggests physiological differences in exercise response between sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers and individuals with normal hemoglobin.
- SCT carriers may have advantages in anaerobic activities, but the underlying bio-cellular mechanisms are not fully understood.
- While maximal aerobic fitness appears unaffected, some studies indicate a potentially lesser aerobic capacity in SCT carriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the physiological and bio-cellular mechanisms underlying exercise responses in sickle cell trait carriers.
- To investigate discrepancies in lactate metabolism during exercise in SCT carriers.
- To examine the debated topic of SCT's clinical presentation during strenuous exercise and potential fatal scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological and experimental results concerning SCT and exercise.
- Analysis of studies on maximal oxygen consumption, aerobic power, and lactate metabolism.
- Examination of case reports and proposed mechanisms for exercise-related complications in SCT carriers.
Main Results:
- Maximal aerobic physical fitness (VO2 max, aerobic power) is generally not affected by SCT.
- Conflicting findings exist regarding lactate metabolism, with some studies showing higher concentrations and others lower in SCT carriers.
- While SCT is often clinically benign, rare fatal exercise-related collapse events in carriers warrant further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Physiological differences observed in SCT carriers necessitate their consideration as a distinct population in exercise response studies.
- Abnormalities in blood rheology, hemostasis, and vascular adhesion, combined with environmental factors, may contribute to rare fatal outcomes.
- Further research into the specific physiological and bio-cellular mechanisms is crucial for understanding SCT carrier exercise responses and ensuring safety.
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