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[Decreased bone marrow cellularity and hemosiderin in normal and overtrained runners]
R Wishnitzer1, A Eliraz, N Hurvitz
1Pulmonary Unit, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot.
Harefuah
|January 15, 1990
Summary
Overtrained runners show more pronounced decreases in bone marrow cellularity (BMC) and bone marrow hemosiderin (BMH). These changes may indicate overtraining in athletes, even with normal iron levels.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Context:
- Competitive distance runners often experience physiological stress.
- Overtraining syndrome is a concern in endurance athletes.
- Bone marrow cellularity (BMC) and bone marrow hemosiderin (BMH) are indicators of hematopoietic activity and iron storage.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and significance of decreased BMC and BMH in overtrained versus normally trained distance runners.
- To explore the relationship between BMC, BMH, and iron status markers (hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin).
Summary:
- Overtrained runners exhibited significantly more pronounced hypocellular bone marrow compared to healthy controls.
- Decreased bone marrow hemosiderin (BMH) was observed in both groups, but more so in overtrained athletes.
- Despite normal hemoglobin and iron levels, altered iron storage in the bone marrow and increased erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume were noted in runners.
Impact:
- Decreased BMC may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying overtrained athletes.
- The findings suggest that distance runners may store iron differently, with a reduced proportion in the bone marrow.
- This research highlights the importance of evaluating bone marrow parameters in assessing the health and training status of endurance athletes.