Association of Hematological Variables with Team-Sport Specific Fitness Performance

Abstract

PurposeWe investigated association of hematological variables with specific fitness performance in elite team-sport players.MethodsHemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured in 25 elite field hockey players using the optimized (2 min) CO-rebreathing method. Hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed in venous blood. Fitness performance evaluation included a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test (8 x 20 m sprints, 20 s of rest) and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 (YYIR2).ResultsHbmass was largely correlated (r = 0.62, P<0.01) with YYIR2 total distance covered (YYIR2TD) but not with any RSA-derived parameters (r ranging from -0.06 to -0.32; all P>0.05). [Hb] and MCHC displayed moderate correlations with both YYIR2TD (r = 0.44 and 0.41; both P<0.01) and RSA sprint decrement score (r = -0.41 and -0.44; both P<0.05). YYIR2TD correlated with RSA best and total sprint times (r = -0.46, P<0.05 and -0.60, P<0.01; respectively), but not with RSA sprint decrement score (r = -0.19, P>0.05).ConclusionHbmass is positively correlated with specific aerobic fitness, but not with RSA, in elite team-sport players. Additionally, the negative relationships between YYIR2 and RSA tests performance imply that different hematological mechanisms may be at play. Overall, these results indicate that these two fitness tests should not be used interchangeably as they reflect different hematological mechanisms.

The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results

“…Computation of YYIR2 test global means, SDs and quantiles (Figure 3) involved 116 studies/subgroups reporting on 2,478 participants (median age = 23.2 years, IQR = 20.7–26.0 years) (Young et al, 2005; De Souza et al, 2006; Krustrup et al, 2006; Thomas et al, 2006; Mohr et al, 2007, 2016; Iaia et al, 2008, 2015, 2017; Morton et al, 2009; Rampinini et al, 2010; Rebelo et al, 2010; Thomassen et al, 2010; Christensen et al, 2011; Chuman et al, 2011; Mooney et al, 2011, 2013a,b; Roberts et al, 2011; Ueda et al, 2011; Gunnarsson et al, 2012; Ingebrigtsen et al, 2012, 2013, 2014; Nakamura et al, 2012; Saunders et al, 2012; Wells et al, 2012, 2014; Bassini et al, 2013; Buchheit et al, 2013; McGawley and Andersson, 2013; Mohr and Krustrup, 2013, 2014, 2016; Owen et al, 2013; Pivovarniček et al, 2013; Yuki et al, 2013; Fanchini et al, 2014; Karavelioglu et al, 2014; Lollo et al, 2014; Miloski et al, 2014; Nunes et al, 2014; Sampaio et al, 2014; Skovgaard et al, 2014; Brocherie et al, 2015a,b; Cholewa et al, 2015; Coelho et al, 2015; Gatterer et al, 2015; Hogarth et al, 2015a,b; Jamurtas et al, 2015; Krustrup and Mohr, 2015; Leme et al, 2015; Mara et al, 2015; Matta et al, 2015; McLean et al, 2015; Michalsik et al, 2015; Mohr, 2015; Rogan, 2015; Stein et al, 2015; Boer and Van Aswegen, 2016; Bouaziz et al, 2016; Chan et al, 2016; Inness et al, 2016; Joo, 2016; Kilit and Arslan, 2016; Lockie et al, 2016a,b,...…”

Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Endurance of Athletes: Review

“…Training and iron status have also been shown to cause changes in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (Brocherie et al, 2015;Heisterberg et al, 2013;Hinrichs et al, 2010). Slight decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit are expected in athletes due to increases in plasma volume associated with training, a condition commonly termed "sports anemia" (Heisterberg et al, 2013).…”

“…Several researchers have correlated hematologic parameters (i.e. Hb, HCT and MCHC) to decreases in VO 2 max and scores on the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 test (YYIR2) (Brocherie et al, 2015;Heisterberg et al, 2013). Brocherie et al (2015) found that absolute hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were moderately correlated with YYIR2 while athletes with lower mass Hb showed a decreased time to exhaustion.…”

“…Hb, HCT and MCHC) to decreases in VO 2 max and scores on the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 test (YYIR2) (Brocherie et al, 2015;Heisterberg et al, 2013). Brocherie et al (2015) found that absolute hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were moderately correlated with YYIR2 while athletes with lower mass Hb showed a decreased time to exhaustion. Hematologic parameters in professional male soccer players demonstrated significant fluctuations in hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration during the competitive season compared to postseason; despite the variations in parameters none of the values were outside clinical reference ranges (Heisterberg et al, 2013).Variation in these markers identifies the potential for an imbalance in hematologic status leading to performance decrements.…”

Soccer-Specific Reactive Repeated-Sprint Ability in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Maturation Trends and Association With Various Physical Performance Tests

“…This may suggest that RSA is more related to short sprint performance than endurance capacity (27,33). However, others have reported large magnitude associations with RSA and aerobic fitness (8,16,21). Weak relationships between RSA and counter-movement jump height have also been observed (18), suggesting that leg power is not a major determinant of RSA.…”