Affiliation:
1. Division of Sports Medicine/Sports Physiology University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
2. Division of Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Bayreuth Center of Sport Science University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
3. Division of Molecular Exercise Physiology University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
4. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine Ulm University Ulm Germany
5. Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg Austria
6. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London UK
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundDuring whole blood donation (BD), 500 mL of blood is drawn. The time interval between two BDs is at least 8–12 weeks. This period might be insufficient for restoring hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and iron especially in women, who generally have lower Hbmass and iron availability. Since both variables influence physical performance, this pilot study aimed to monitor Hbmass, iron status, and maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) recovery in women after a single BD.Study Design and MethodsIn 10 women (24.7 ± 1.7 years), Hbmass, hemoglobin concentration [Hb], iron status, and V̇O2max were assessed before and up to 12 weeks after a single BD.ResultsBD reduced Hbmass from 562 ± 70 g to 499 ± 64 g (p < .001). Although after 8 weeks no significant mean difference was detected, 7 women had not returned to baseline after 12 weeks. [Hb] did not return to initial values (13.4 ± 0.7 g/dL) after 12 weeks (12.9 ± 0.7 g/dL, p < .01). Ferritin decreased from baseline until week 6 (40.9 ± 34.2 ng/mL vs. 12.1 ± 6.9 ng/mL, p < .05) and was not restored after 12 weeks (18.4 ± 12.7 ng/mL, p < .05), with 6 out of 10 women exhibiting iron deficiency (ferritin <15 ng/mL). V̇O2max was reduced by 213 ± 47 mL/min (7.2 ± 1.2%; p < .001) and remained below baseline after 12 weeks (3.2 ± 1.4%, p < .01).DiscussionFor most pre‐menopausal women, 12 weeks were not sufficient to recover from BD and achieve baseline Hbmass and iron stores resulting in prolonged reduction of aerobic capacity. A subsequent BD might lead to a severe anemia.