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Sickle cell trait performance in a prolonged race at high altitude
P Thiriet1, J Y Le Hesran, D Wouassi
1Department of Applied Exercise Physiology, National Institute for Youth and Sports of Yaoundé (I.N.J.S.), Cameroon.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Athletes with sickle cell trait (SCT) may experience reduced aerobic exercise capacity at high altitudes. This study found SCT runners performed worse in hypoxic conditions, potentially explaining lower SCT prevalence in elite athletes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Altitude Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- The impact of sickle cell trait (SCT) on athletic performance, particularly under hypoxic conditions, remains debated.
- High-altitude endurance events present unique physiological challenges.
- Cameroon's Mount Cameroon Ascent Race offers a unique setting to study SCT prevalence and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sickle cell trait on aerobic exercise capacity during a high-altitude ultramarathon.
- To determine if SCT impacts performance differently at varying altitudes.
- To explore potential correlations between SCT prevalence and athletic representation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 266 Cameroonian runners participating in the International Mount Cameroon Ascent Race (34.1 km, altitudes 615-4095 m).
- Screening for sickle cell trait (SCT) and comparing prevalence between general population and specific tribes (Bakoueri).
- Comparing race performance times between SCT carriers and non-carriers, with specific focus on high-altitude segments.
Main Results:
- SCT prevalence among runners was 12.4%, similar to the general population, but lower in the Bakoueri tribe (2.4% vs. 15.6%).
- Overall race performance was comparable between SCT and non-SCT runners.
- SCT carriers exhibited significantly slower times at altitudes between 3800-4095 m (P < 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Prolonged aerobic exercise in hypobaric hypoxic conditions may negatively affect performance in sickle cell trait carriers.
- The observed performance decrement at altitude could explain the reduced SCT prevalence in elite athletes from specific tribes.
- Further research may involve objective altitude performance measures for elite athlete selection.