The effectiveness and the simplicity of calculation of these indices make them acceptable and easy to use for differential diagnosis.

The effectiveness and the simplicity of calculation of these indices make them acceptable and easy to use. They can be relied on for differential diagnosis and even for diagnosis of β-TT with atypical HbA₂ levels.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and nature of hemoglobin (Hb) defects in a Mediterranean high-level (HL) athlete population. Five hundred and ninety-four HL male and female athletes were recruited during the annual follow-up of the members of Tunisian national teams. Hematological data, Hb electrophoresis, and DNA analysis were assessed using conventional techniques. Sporting discipline, type of sport, and performance levels were assessed using a questionnaire. The results showed that 32 HL athletes had abnormal Hb (5.4%): beta-thalassemia (2.2%), alpha-thalassemia (0.5%), HbAS (1.5%), HbAC (0.5%), and rare Hb variants (0.7%). Of the 32 defect carriers, all but one (a alpha-thalassemia) were heterozygous. All the detected hemoglobinopathies but one (an Hb Hope) had already been reported in the country. The prevalence of Hb defect in the HL athletes was similar to that described in the general Tunisian population (P > 0.05). The percentage of Hb defect in the athletes was not dependent on gender, or performance level (P > 0.05). Within each type of sport the percentages of athletes with normal and abnormal Hb were similar (P > 0.05). The hematological data revealed the diversity of anemia, microcytosis, and hypochromia in thalassemic HL athletes. We concluded that HL athletes in Tunisia were a representative sample of the general Tunisian population regarding the prevalence and nature of benign abnormal Hb. The hematological data of the thalassemia carriers exhibited high variability and raised the question of genetic and sporting counseling, as well as biological follow-up for these carriers.

This study was performed to determine the impact of sex and sport-discipline on physical fitness and bone markers in young sub-elite track and field athletes. One hundred and forty-four track and field sub-elite athletes (78 males aged 17.8 ± 1.6 years; 66 females aged 17.2 ± 1.9 years) volunteered to participate in this study and were categorized according to their disciplines in endurance (EG: n=67) or power athletes (PG: n=77). A significant main effect of sex was observed for C-telopeptide type I collagen (CTx) (F=11.37; p<0.001; 2=0.10, moderate), for osteocalcin (OC) (F=8.58; p<0.004; 2=0.09, moderate) and for N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP) (F=7.96; p<0.05; 2=0.07, moderate). The average CTx, OC and P1NP levels were significantly higher in males compared with females (0.05<p<0.001; 2= 0.07 to 0.10, moderate). In addition, a significant main effect of sport-discipline was observed only for P1NP values (F=10.16; p<0.002; 2=0.09, moderate) with EG showing higher levels than PG. For jumping and sprinting tests, the PG performed better than the EG. For the endurance test, EG had better performance than OG. Endurance and power exercise practices can increase bone formation markers (P1NP, OC), but only anaerobic training (PG group) appears to positively impact on male track and field athletes.