The Lab: “Effects of Training Camp on Hematological Variables in Athletes with Sickle Cell Trait”

ScienceMind

Jun 30

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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To explore the hematological differences in African-American athletes with sickle cell trait (SCT) and healthy controls (CON) before preseason camp and the changes that occur after preseason training.

METHODS: Sixteen (n=8 SCT; n=8 position matched, CON) NCAA Division 1 athletes (12 football, 2 each women’s soccer and volleyball) had blood drawn before and after preseason camp and analyzed for Hb electrophoresis (Hb-A, Hb-A2, Hb-S, and Hb-F), complete blood count with differential, chemistry panel 26, and prothrombin time, activity and international normalized ratio (INR).

RESULTS: Baseline total Hb was similar between SCT and CON (mean±SD; 14.2±1.3 vs. 14.1±0.9g/dL, resp; P=0.87), but as expected, Hb-A was lower and Hb-A2 and Hb-S were higher in SCT than CON (P<0.001 for all). Baseline neutrophils were higher (4.43±1.29 vs. 3.28±0.93cellsx10^3/mL, P<0.005) and lymphocytes tended to be lower (1.56±0.45 vs. 1.99±0.39cellsx10^3/mL; P=0.09) amongst SCT compared to CON, respectively. Baseline amylase (99.4±25.4 vs. 72.9±18.8u/L; P=0.03), uric acid (6.8±1.7 vs. 5.5±0.8mg/dL; P=0.08), and creatinine (1.2±0.2 vs. 1.0±0.2mg/dL; P=0.07) were higher in SCT compared to CON. All Hb measures in SCT were similar after camp compared to baseline (P>0.33 for all). Baseline and position adjusted change in neutrophils were similar between SCT and CON (mean, 95%CI; -0.09, -2.06 to 1.89 vs. 0.36, -1.61 to 2.34cellsx10^3/mL, resp; P=0.77). Similarly, the adjusted change in lymphocytes was not different between SCT and CON (0.53, 0.01 to 1.05 vs. 0.15, -0.37 to 0.67, resp; P=0.40), however, total lymphocyte counts increased in SCT over time (P<0.05). Creatinine responses differed between SCT and CON (-0.05, -0.12 to 0.02 vs. 0.05, -0.03 to 0.12; P=0.05) and potassium decreased a greater extent in SCT (-0.44, -0.6 to -0.3 vs. -0.2, -0.3 to -0.1; P=0.05) after camp.

DISCUSSION: Despite major hematological differences due to SCT, very few changes occur during the exhaustive, preseason camp at sea level. Funded in part by the Robert and Patricia Hines Endowed Professorship in Kinesiology, LSU, and unrestricted funding provided in part by a gift to the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

RESEARCHERS

Owens, M.E., Wang, H., Lemoine, N.P., Marucci, J., Mullenix, S., Nelson, A.G., Castle, R.R., Irving, B.A., Spielmann, G., Rood, J. and Church, T.S.

REFERENCE

Owens, M.E., Wang, H., Lemoine, N.P., Marucci, J., Mullenix, S., Nelson, A.G., Castle, R.R., Irving, B.A., Spielmann, G., Rood, J. and Church, T.S., 2018. Effects of Training Camp on Hematological Variables in Athletes with Sickle Cell Trait: 2982 Board# 265 June 1 3. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50(5S), p.741.