Physical exercise effect on erythrocyte metabolism

A group of 27 canoeists from the national team and 35 subjects beginning training in a sports discipline were subjected to investigations for determination of glucose utilization by erythrocytes, and the level of lactic acid in these cells and in serum. Furthermore, erythrocyte count and haematocrit value were determined in them. Both groups performed submaximal and maximal work on cycle ergometer. In the trained sportsmen the erythrocyte count and haematocrit value were higher already before exercise. During the exercise the increase in these values, as well as the rise in erythrocyte and serum lactic acid levels were again greater than in untrained freshmen. This difference was caused by the fact that the trained sportsmen performed twice as much work. Glucose utilization by erythrocytes (in vitro) was greatest after maximal exercise in both groups. The differences observed between both groups became manifest during exercise with a greater rise in glucose utilization by the erythrocytes obtained from the trained group. Fifteen minutes after the exercise this utilization fell in both groups below the value obtained before exercise. During the same time erythrocyte count and haematocrit returned to their initial levels.