Deformability of different red blood cell populations and viscosity of differently trained young men in response to intensive and moderate running

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Red blood cell (RBC) deformability and blood viscosity are essential to ensure optimal microcirculation and may contribute to athletic performance.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the acute responses of density fractionated young, middle old and old RBC, RBC viscosity (RBCV), plasma viscosity (PV) and hematological changes to two running modes (intensive and moderate).

METHODS:

27 young and healthy men of different training status participated in this study and were grouped into three groups in accordance to their VO₂peak and conducted an intensive and moderate running test, respectively (crossover design). Pre and Post exercise, RBC were fractionated via percoll density gradient centrifugation. RBC deformability of the entire RBC population and the fractionated RBC was determined. Viscosity, hematocrit and mean cellular volume were determined.

RESULTS:

Baseline results reveal that high trained subjects possess more young RBC and show increased deformability of un-fractioned RBC and middle aged RBC. Baseline PV, RBCV, hematocrit and mean cellular volume did not differ between groups. Applied running modes did not change RBC deformability of any sub-fractions. Viscosity only increased after intensive running. Hematological changes were observed after both exercises.

CONCLUSIONS:

Acute effects of exercise on RBC are marginal, but chronic differences can be observed in RBC function.