Abstract des Autors

In order to study the mechanism of sports anemia, resting hematological characteristics, focused on iron metabolism, were investigated in male and female elite athletes (distance runners, oarsmen, and speed skaters). Effects of exhaustive treadmill run were also studied in the distance runners. Mild anemia or hemoglobin (Hb) concentration at the lower end of normal range was observed both in male and female distance runners. Lower concentration of Hb was accompanied by the decreased serum iron and ferritin levels suggesting an anemia caused by iron deficiency. Hemolysis in blood circulation was also suggested by elevated serum total lactate dehydrogenase activity and lowered haptoglobin concentration in these subjects. Occurrence of hemolysis was also seen in response to a single bout of exhaustive exercise. Loss of Hb iron into urine and/or sweat and increased uptake of iron in muscles may be one of the major causes of iron deficiency. Hemodilution might be another cause of the lowered Hb concentration in athletes. No evidence of protein deficiency was observed. It was suggested that iron status must be checked in addition to the routine Hb determination since iron deficiency itself could be one of the limiting factors of work performance. Verf.-Referat