Effect of hypobaric hypoxia on hematological parameters related to oxygen transport, blood volume and oxygen consumption in adolescent endurance-training athletes.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of altitude on hematological and cardiorespiratory variables in adolescent athletes participating in aerobic disciplines.

METHODS

21 females and 89 males participated in the study. All were adolescent elite athletes engaged in endurance sports (skating, running and cycling) belonging to two groups: permanent residents in either low altitude (LA, 966 m) or moderate altitude (MA, 2640 m). Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), total hemoglobin mass (Hbt), blood, plasma and erythrocyte volumes (BV, PV and EV), VOpeak and other cardiorespiratory parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sex differences were evident both in LA and HA skating practitioners, the males having higher significant values than the females in oxygen transport-related hematological parameters and VOpeak. The effect of altitude residence was also observed in Hct, [Hb], Hbt and EV with increased (14%-18%) values in the hematological parameters and higher EV (5%-24%). These results matched the significantly higher values of VOpeak measured in MA residents. However, BV and PV did not show differences between LA and MA residents in any case. Sports discipline influenced neither the hematological variables nor most of the cardiorespiratory parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

LA and MA adolescent skaters showed sex differences in hematological variables. Endurance-trained male adolescent residents at MA had an increased erythropoietic response and a higher VOpeak compared to their counterparts residing and training at LA. These responses are similar in the three aerobic sports studied, indicating that the variables described are highly sensitive to hypoxia irrespective of the sports discipline.