Red Cell Oxygen Transport Before and After Short-Term Maximal Swimming in Dependence on Training Status

Abstract

Parameters of oxygen transport were determined in 12 national class swimmers of both sexes during a 6-week training phase. Training intensity was high at the beginning of the training period (60 km/week); at the end the intensity was reduced to 25 km/week. At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the training period maximal swim tests (3 X 50 m) were performed. At rest 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration (+0.82 mmol/l RBC) and P50 values (+0.92 mmHg) were increased after the period of intensive training, but decreased during the following 3 weeks, remaining still higher than pre-training values. Hemoglobin (Hb), concentration (MCHC) decreased during the training phase in dependence on training intensity. On day 0 and day 25 no changes in 2,3-DPG were found during the swim tests, but at the end a significant reduction in red cell 2,3-DPG (-0.44 mmol/l RBC) occurred. This can be explained by the more pronounced lactacidosis in this last swim test. The degree of hemoconcentration during exercise was the same throughout the training period and consequently independent of the state of physical fitness. During the training period, a good correlation between training intensity, increase in red cell 2,3-DPG, and P50 value as well as in the degree of sports anemia could be found.

Red Blood Cell 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate Decreases in Response to a 30 km Time Trial Under Hypoxia in Cyclists

“…There is a significant positive relationship between the resting concentration of 2,3-DPG and VO 2max ( Remes et al, 1979 ; Mairbäurl et al, 1983 ; Czuba et al, 2009 ). It has been shown that 2,3-DPG concentration increases under the influence of exercise training ( Braumann et al, 1982 ; Hasibeder et al, 1987 ; Hespel et al, 1988 ; Schmidt et al, 1988 ), which is mainly due to the stimulation of erythropoiesis and an increase in the number of young RBC, which are characterized by higher metabolic activity and an increased level of 2,3-DPG ( Mairbäurl et al, 1983 ). It was also noted that in the subjects with a higher sport performance level, concentration of 2,3-DPG decreases after exercise, while it increases or is unchanged in subjects with lower fitness ( Thomson et al, 1974 ; Kuński and Sztobryn, 1976 ; Remes et al, 1979 ).…”

“…The 2,3-DPG concentration may change in disease states (e.g., anemia, chronic obstructive lung disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cystic fibrosis; Alevizos and Stefanis, 1976 ; Acharya and Grimes, 1986 ; Illuchev et al, 1993 ; Böning et al, 2014 ) and under the influence of environmental conditions ( Koistinen et al, 2000 ; Savourey et al, 2004 ). It has been shown that the increase in 2,3-DPG level is a positive adaptation following endurance training lasting several weeks or months ( Böswart et al, 1980 ; Braumann et al, 1982 ; Hasibeder et al, 1987 ; Schmidt et al, 1988 ) and as a result of exposure to hypoxia ( Lenfant et al, 1968 ; Mairbäurl et al, 1986b ; Sutton et al, 1988 ). Acute hypoxic exposure causes hyperventilation and increases CO 2 removal, leading to respiratory alkalosis and an increase in blood pH ( Lühker et al, 2017 ).…”

Red Blood Cell Function in Hypoxia at Altitude and Exercise

“…Heavy exercise causes destruction of red blood cells by mechanical stress e.g. in the heart, during passage through microvessels of contracting muscle or by the increased pressure on foot soles or hands depending on the kind of activity performed (41). This destruction removes mainly old less deformable red blood cells from circulation (61) and might act as an additional stimulus for erythropoiesis by a decrease in the 02-transport capacity.…”

Exercise, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants: A Review

“…Training has been associated with bleeding into the digestive tract, hemoglobinuria, myoglobinuria, hematuria, and iron loss into sweat (45,59,60). We have begun to study the problem and have found that unaccustomed exercise does increase the amount of "free iron," and that an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress is associated with such increased levels of iron (72).…”