Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Effects on Well-Trained Athletes' Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review
Aitor Alberdi-Garciandia1, Jordan Santos-Concejero1
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 26, 2025
Summary
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) enhances endurance by improving blood factors and oxygen uptake in athletes. While maximal performance may increase, its effect on submaximal endurance requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is known to improve cardiopulmonary variables.
- These improvements can potentially enhance endurance performance in athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the hematological, physiological, and performance effects of rHuEPO.
- Focus on well-trained endurance athletes, examining both maximal and submaximal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.
- Included studies published between January 1, 2010, and January 20, 2025.
- Analyzed 10 studies meeting inclusion criteria from 985 initial articles.
Main Results:
- rHuEPO significantly improves key hematological parameters like hemoglobin mass, concentration, and hematocrit.
- Physiological markers, including maximal and peak oxygen uptake, are positively affected by rHuEPO.
- Maximal performance parameters, such as maximal and peak power output, show a tendency to increase.
Conclusions:
- rHuEPO effectively enhances hematological and physiological parameters crucial for endurance.
- Maximal performance indicators generally improve with rHuEPO use.
- Further research is necessary to clarify the impact of rHuEPO on submaximal endurance performance.
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