Temporary impact of blood donation on physical performance and hematologic variables in women

Abstract

VO and B-Hb were only recovered 28 days after a blood donation whereas TT performance was back to baseline 14 days after blood donation.

Exercise capacity deterioration and recovery after blood donation in women: a step forward

“…This result is unexpected unless the blood volume was similar in the two groups, because normally men have approximately 70 mL/kg and women 65 mL/kg body mass blood volumes . Nevertheless, the women in the study by Stangerup and colleagues had a VO 2 peak similar to that of their male counterparts . Since at the population level women have approximately 20% lower VO 2 peak values than men it can be inferred that the women studied by Stangerup and colleagues were relatively more trained than the men.…”

“…However, the main mechanism accounting for the reduction of exercise performance after a blood donation is the decrease in the O 2 ‐carrying capacity of blood. An isovolemic reduction of [Hb] decreases VO 2 peak and vice versa, but the relationship between the change in [Hb] and the changes in VO 2 peak is not linear, such that the reduction (or increase) in VO 2 peak is proportionally less than the change in [Hb] concentration (ΔVO 2 = 0.22 + 0.7 Δ[Hb] + 0.0054 Δ[Hb], where Δ represents the percentage change from the starting value) . This observation contrasts with the linear relationship reported between the reduction in CaO 2 in acute hypoxia and the decrease in VO 2 peak .…”

“…It remains unknown whether a similar level of hemodilution in females, who have a lower basal [Hb] could reduce muscle O 2 ‐diffusing capacity. The women studied by Stangerup and colleagues remained higher than 7.1 mmol/L and therefore no impairment in O 2 diffusion even during maximal exercise should be expected at the level of [Hb] reached after the blood donation. Moreover, it has been reported that the Fåhraeus effect, that is, the decrease in the hematocrit (Hct) of blood flowing into narrowing tubes below 300 µm in diameter, is less marked in the microvasculature of females .…”

“…A reduction of blood volume may result in a lower peak cardiac output because it is associated with lower central blood volume and filling pressures. Although blood volume was not measured, the results obtained by Stangerup and colleagues and previous studies provide indirect evidence supporting this effect …”

“…Although no study has directly compared the midterm responses to a blood donation in men and women, the same research group has applied a similar protocol to healthy men, although of slightly lower fitness levels than the women studied by Stangerup and colleagues . The impact of blood donation was apparently similar in men and women, as was the decrease in [Hb], 7.5 and 7.9% (in men and women, respectively) .…”