Sickle Cell Trait, Exercise, and Altitude

In brief: Sickle cell trait is generally benign and does not shorten life, but it may confer some risk with extremes of exercise or altitude. For example, the risk of splenic infarction at mountain altitudes is small but real, and exists for whites as well as for blacks. In contrast, the risk of exercise-related death may not be increased for persons with sickle cell trait; there is still no cogent evidence that the trait predisposes to exertional rhabdomyolysis or death. It is important to realize that sickle cell trait is no barrier to outstanding athletic performance, and that athletes with the trait should take the same precautions as any other athletes-no more, no less.