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Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Sickle cell trait in sports.
1University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. reichner1@comcast.net
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|November 12, 2010
Summary
Athletes with sickle cell trait (SCT) face significant risks during intense exercise. Conditioning, not gameplay, is linked to SCT-related deaths, highlighting the need for tailored safety precautions.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sickle cell trait (SCT) presents a serious health risk for athletes, particularly during strenuous physical activity.
- A disproportionate number of exertional deaths in NCAA Division I football conditioning are linked to SCT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which SCT can lead to fatal exertional collapse in athletes.
- To emphasize the critical need for specific preventative measures for athletes with SCT.
Main Methods:
- Review of exertional death data in NCAA Division I football over the past decade.
- Analysis of physiological responses during intense exercise in athletes with SCT.
- Identification of the onset and progression of sickling events.
Main Results:
- 10 out of 16 conditioning-related deaths in NCAA Division I football were associated with SCT, a 21-fold increased risk.
- Intense exercise can rapidly cause sickle cells to obstruct blood vessels, leading to rhabdomyolysis and death.
- Sickling collapse can occur within minutes of maximal exertion, especially if warning signs are ignored.
Conclusions:
- Sickling collapse is a distinct exertional intensity syndrome requiring specific recognition and management.
- Tailored precautions are essential to prevent fatalities and allow athletes with SCT to participate safely.
- Excessively intense conditioning poses a life-threatening risk to athletes with SCT.
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