Abstract

We have studied the changes in hematological and iron status parameters induced by a mountain marathon race (Verona-Boscochiesanuova 40 km, 1500 m total slope) in 16 runners and 6 mountain-bikers. In both the sports activities we have observed a slight increase in hematological parameters probably due to a moderate degree of hemoconcentration. Serum ferritin (FERR) increased significantly in runners (+ 28.5, p<0.01, paired Student t-test) while in bikers there was an insignificant decrease (-2.6). Serum iron (SID) levels were significantly higher after the race by a similar extent in the two groups (38.5 and 40.2, p<0.01, POD and MTB respectively). Serum haptoglobin (APTO) decreased in POD (-28.1, p<0.05). Finally, creatin kinase activity in the serum showed a large, significant increase in POD (+115, p<0.01) as well as in MTB (66, p<0.01). Absolute changes of SID in POD did not correlate to any other variations measured in all parameters. On the other hand FERR changes significantly correlated to basal FERR levels (r=0.48), to APTO changes (r=0.57) and to the individual time-duration of the race (r=0.65). These results suggested that the sports activities (running and mountain-biking) exert different acute modifications of iron metabolism. FERR changes, observed only in POD group, seems to be primarly dependent on the traumatic effect of prolonged running on erythrocytes and on the longer duration of the efforts. Verf.-Referat