Training‐Induced Variations in Haematological and Biochemical Variables in Adolescent Athletes of Arab Origin Throughout an Entire Athletic Season

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to observe and report variations in several haematological and biochemical markers throughout an entire athletic season in a large cohort of adolescent athletes of Arab origin. Blood samples were collected from 72 adolescent male athletes at 4 selected time points during their training season. Results expressed in relation to plasma volume were corrected accordingly and significant variations in several variables emerged. Initial uncorrected haematological results revealed that haematocrit (Hct) and mean cell volume (MCV) concentrations noticeably increased at the competitive period (T3) and before the start of the following preseason (T4), whereas reticulocytes equivalent (Ret-He) only rose at T4 phase (p < 0.01). Conversely, corrected red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) progressively decreased over the year (p < 0.001). From the electrolytes panel, sodium and chloride considerably reduced at the peak of the training period (T2) to the start of the next preseason (T4), while a significant fall in potassium was mainly observed during the competitive period (T3) (p < 0.001). Coaches and sport scientists could use the results of this study to evaluate typical variations of each age group in order to diagnose potential adverse effects of high training loads, assist in the design of training programs and/or clinical interventions that will safeguard athletes’ health, and consider the important role of plasma volume for the interpretation of results.