Seasonal variation of haemoglobin mass in internationally competitive female road cyclists

Abstract

In order to quantify the seasonal variability of haemoglobin mass (Hb(mass)) in cyclists during a competitive season, and investigate whether variability is associated with changes in training load or performance, Hb(mass) was measured in 10 internationally competitive female road cyclists approximately once per month for 2-10 months via CO-rebreathing. Power meters were used to quantify daily load (Training Stress Scores) during training and racing, from which cumulative training load units for 7, 14, 28 and 42 day were calculated. Maximal mean power (MMP) for 1, 4, 10 and 25 min, performed during training or racing was used as a surrogate for performance. The relationship between changes in training load (%DeltaTraining) and changes in Hb(mass) (%DeltaHb(mass)), and between %DeltaHb(mass) and changes in MMP (%DeltaMMP) was established via regression analysis. Individual coefficients of variation (CV) in Hb(mass) ranged from 2.0 to 4.4%. The weighted mean CV in Hb(mass) was 3.3% (90% Confidence Limits: 2.9-3.8%) or 23 g over the average 6.6 +/- 2.3 month monitoring period. The effect of %DeltaTraining on %DeltaHb(mass) was small for 7 and 14 day (r = 0.22 and 0.29), moderate for 42 day (r = 0.35) and large for 28 day (r = 0.56). The regression slope was greatest for 42 day, with a 10% change in training associated with a approximately 1% change in Hb(mass). The relationship between %DeltaHb(mass) and %DeltaMMP was approximately 0.5:1 for MMP(1min),(10 min) and (25 min) and approximately 1:1 for MMP(4 min), respectively. Hb(mass) varies by approximately 3% in female cyclists during a competitive season. Some of the variation may be related to oscillations in chronic training load.

Adding heat to the live-high train-low altitude model: a practical insight from professional football

“…These differences in the changes were well above both the SWC27 and the typical error of measurement in our laboratories (<2%), within the range of usual random variations in athletes (ie, ≤3%29 30), and similar to changes observed recently in a similar population (but following a 19-day altitude training camp) 12. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show the Hb mass responses to a combined heat+hypoxic training camp in elite team sport athletes and this is the first time that such a substantial increase in Hb mass is reported after such a short period of time, that is, after 170 h (12×14 h/night–day).…”

The Effects of Injury and Illness on Haemoglobin Mass

“…This estimate compares well with those from 3 other studies: an undefi ned reduction in training load leading to a decrease in Hb mass of 2.8 % in a large mixed cohort of elite and semi-elite athletes [ 5 ] , a 10 % decrease in training over a 42-day period causing a ~1 % Hb mass decrease in elite female cyclists [ 9 ] , and in recreational ultra-endurance triathletes an 87 % decrease in training for 30 days leading to a ~3 % reduction in Hb mass [ 4 ] . In this study we attempted to augment the precision of these estimations by examining the incremental eff ect of training reduction on Hb mass .…”

Intravenous Iron Supplementation in Distance Runners with Low or Suboptimal Ferritin

“…However, although iron parameters may be lower during menses, V O 2max and Hb mass , our key outcome variables, are not substantially altered by menstrual cycle phase (11,18,22,48). We were also unable to control the training performed by athletes in the study, and hence athletes completed training sessions on a number of different surfaces at a range of intensities.…”