Introduction: The total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) is one of the key factors for elite endurance athletes [1]. There is a strong correlation between tHb-mass and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) [2]. Nevertheless the relationship between the tHb-mass and performance in real-life competition environment has not been described clearly. The aim of the present study was to define the relationship between tHb-mass in elite endurance athletes and their performance under competition environment. Methods: Forty-one athletes members of Russian Olympic biathlon and speed skating team participated in the study: 16 male biathletes (BM: 176±2.2cm, 73±1.9kg, 27±1.3 years), 7 females biathletes (BW: 165±1.7cm, 62±1.1kg, 28±1.6years) and 12 male speed skaters (SM: 182±2.0cm, 79±2.3kg, 26±1.3 years), 6 female speed skaters (SW: 168±2.4cm, 60±2.4kg, 28±2.0 years). The total hemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) was measured using optimized CO-rebreathing method (ABL80 FLEX CO-OX analyzer), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) were measured in capillary blood. Measurements were taken during the pre Olympic year. tHb-mass values closest to the following competition were taken in the analysis: IBU World Cup 8 Biathlon 2012/2013 (C1), IBU World Cup 9 Biathlon 2012/2013 (C2), Summer Biathlon Russian Championships and Cup 2012/2013 (C3), IBU World Cup 1 Biathlon 2013/2014 (C4), Speed Skating Russia Cup 2012/2013 (C5) and Russian Speed Skating Championships 2012/2013 (C6). t-Student tests were used to examine correlations between tHb-mass and competition results, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: The mean reliable tHb-mass in BM group after C1 and before C2 was 15.5 ± 0.4 g/kg. There was found a relationship between the competition result and reliable tHb-mass r=-0.88, p<0.05 and r=-0.96, p<0.05. The reliable tHb-mass in BM group before C3 was 13.9 ± 0.4 with a correlation to performance was r=-0.88, p<0.05. The reliable tHb-mass in BW before C4 was 11.3 ± 1.8 with a correlation to performance r=-0.81, p<0.05. In speed skaters the mean reliable tHb-mass before C5 in SM was 13.1 ± 1.7, with a correlation to performance r=-0.61, p<0.05. The mean reliable tHb-mass before C6 in SM was 12.9 ± 0.3 and in SW 10.5 ± 1.6 with the relationship to performance r=-0.80, p<0.05 and r=-0.77, p<0.05 respectively. For Hb and Hct such correlation wasn`t found. Discussion: When analyzing elite endurance athletes performance, tHb-mass can be used as one of the values that can help in performance prediction. These values can be used by coaches in making right decision on athletes allocation to relay or team race.
© Copyright 2014 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Amsterdam, 2. - 5. July 2014. Veröffentlicht von VU University Amsterdam. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. / Übersetzt mit https://www.DeepL.com/Translator