Abstract des Autors

The transport of oxygen has been shown to be impaired in certain female athletic populations. The purpose of the present investigation was to (a) compare the hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin concentrations between female basketball players (BB) and female nonathletes (CON); and (b) examine the variation in hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, and maximal oxygen consumption across a competitive season in female basketball players. Fifteen Division I female basketball players and 22 age-matched female controls served as subjects. Preseason (PRE) blood samples were taken and analyzed for serum ferritin (FERR), hemoglobin, and hematocrit. In addition, maximal oxygen consumption (MXOX) and percent body fat were measured. All measures were repeated at midseason and postseason. The basketball players were heavier, taller, less fat, more muscular, and in better aerobic condition. Significant correlations were found among the hematological variables but no hematological variable correlated with MXOX. Thirteen percent of the BB group had low FERR at PRE. Across time, only FERR decreased significantly and only for the BB group. The results of this study suggest that serum ferritin levels appear to be declining in this population although not all athletes reached significantly low levels. Verf.-Referat