Alactic Anaerobic Performance in Subjects with Sickle Cell Trait and Hemoglobin AA

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of subjects with sickle cell trait (SCT) during brief and explosive exercise involving mainly anaerobic metabolism. One hundred and ninety-six black subjects underwent SCT screening, which revealed the presence of 16 subjects with SCT and 180 subjects with normal hemoglobin (HbAA). All subjects performed four tests: 1) a 100-m sprint, 2) a long-jump, 3) a Leger-Boucher shuttle test and 4) a jump-and-reach test. A control group (n = 18) selected from the 180 subjects with HbAA was matched according to the sex, age, weight and height of the SCT subjects (SCTs). The performances of the SCTs (n = 16) were compared with those of the control group. The performances were similar between the SCTs and control group for the sprint test, long-jump and the Leger-Boucher shuttle test. There was, however, a significant difference for the jump-and-reach test between the two groups: the SCTs (i. e., males plus females, and males and females considered separately) reached a significantly greater height (p < 0.05) than the matched subjects of the control group (63.7 +/- 3.6 vs. 58.6 +/- 3.1 cm, 72.3 +/- 3.9 vs. 67.1 +/- 2.4 cm and 52.7 +/- 3.2 vs. 45.3 +/- 2.0 cm for SCTs versus non-SCTs, for the group, the males and the females, respectively). The results of the present study suggest that the performance of brief and explosive exercise may be enhanced by HbS.

Skeletal muscle structural and energetic characteristics in subjects with sickle cell trait, α-thalassemia, or dual hemoglobinopathy

“…In contradiction of these findings, several lines of evidence have shown that SCT subjects are more likely to perform better during brief and intense exercise (4,25,35). Hue et al (25) reported higher performances in a jump-and-reach test by SCT carriers than control subjects with normal hemoglobin.…”

“…In contradiction of these findings, several lines of evidence have shown that SCT subjects are more likely to perform better during brief and intense exercise (4,25,35). Hue et al (25) reported higher performances in a jump-and-reach test by SCT carriers than control subjects with normal hemoglobin. This finding is further reinforced by epidemiologic studies that showed that in Ivory Coast a higher percentage of SCT carriers was reported among the track and field throw and jump record holders and title winners than the prevalence of SCT in the general population (4).…”

Effects of regular physical activity on skeletal muscle structural, energetic, and microvascular properties in carriers of sickle cell trait

“…On the one hand, some researchers (6,26,37,45) argue that SCT can be considered asymptomatic and a benign condition during physical activity. Moreover, several studies (5,30,39) have shown that carriers of SCT may present predispositions for performance during very short supramaximal exercise. On the other hand, some researchers (11,21,33) suggest that carriers of SCT should be considered at risk during exercise.…”

ACSM and CHAMP Summit on Sickle Cell Trait

“…Notably, the women's high jump and men's shot-put record holders had the highest percentages of SCT carriers-90.9% and 87.5%, respectively. Importantly, SCT carriers have been shown to achieve superior performance during jumpand-reaeh tests compared with non-SCT controls (46). Whereas a potential underlying mechanism has yet to be identified, a 2010 study reported SCT carriers tended to have a higher cross-sectional surface area of Type IIx fibers-the muscle fibers recruited during brief, single explosive movements (94).…”