Changes of Selected Haematological Parameters in a Female Team during the 25th African Handball Winners’ Cup Played at Cotonou (Benin)

Issiako Bio Nigan, Polycarpe Gouthon, Mansourou Arèmou, Jean-Marie Falola, Houndjovi Pierre Dansou, Jean Koudouvo Houngbélagnon, Basile Kocou Nouatin, Brigitte Affidéhomè Tonon, Raïmath Yon-Taro Bio Nigan

Laboratory of “PSA and Motricity”, National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Performance (LABIOP), National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Pediatrics Department of the Regional Hospital of Kouandé, Kouandé, Benin.

DOI: 10.4236/ape.2013.31007                

Abstract

The performance in team sports partly depends on the oxygen transport capacity that is also associated with the erythrocyte values, which should be regularly assessed throughout the sports season. This controlled observational study aims at measuring the haematologic modifications induced by the physical load associated with a series of matches in a Benin Division 1 female handball team. It was carried out at Cotonou during the 25th African Handball Winners’ Cup, with 22 female handball players of the Beninese champion team, divided into an experimental group (EG: n = 16) and a control one (CG: n = 6). The red blood cell count (RBC), the rates of Hb (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht), the Wintrobe’s constants and four iron parameters were assessed prior to and after a series of four matches played in six days. At the end of the competition, RBC increased significantly (p < 0.05), but the increases in Hb and Ht were non-significant (p > 0.05). Serum iron, serum transferrin and total iron binding capacity decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The results suggest an improvement in the players’ diet by highly protein enriched foods and erythropoiesis raw materials. They also suggest that the girls may adopt adequate hydric practices, in order to compensate for water losses during matches and training sessions.

Keywords

Erythrocytes; Iron; Competition; Handball; Tropical Climate

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Aboussaleh, Y., Touhami, A. O., Larbi, A., & Delisle, H. (2004). Prévalence de l’anémie chez les préadolescents scolaires dans la province de Kénitra au Maroc. Cahier santé de la Francophonie, 14, 37-42.
[2]	Ashenden, M. J., Gore, C. J., Martin, D. T., Dobson, G. P., & Hahn, A. G. (1999). Effects of a 12-day “live high, train low” camp on reticulocyte production and haemoglobin mass in elite female road cyclists. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 80, 472-478. doi:10.1007/s004210050620
[3]	French Agency for Food Medical Safety (2000). Nutritional intake for athletes. Synthesis of recommendations. Maisons-Alfort (Val-de-Marne). National Center for Studies and Recommendations on Nutrition and Food. National Center for Scientific Research.
[4]	Ben Rayana, M. C., Kolsteren, P., Lefèvre, P., Gharbi, T., Khosrof-Ben Jaafar, S., & Beghin, I. (2002). Approche causale de l’anémie par carence en fer. CIHEAM. Options Méditerranéennes, 41, 41-49.
[5]	Biancotti, P. P., Caropreso, A., Di Vincenzo, G. C., Ganzit, G. P., & Gribaudo C. G. (1992). Hematological status in a group of male athletes of different sports. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 32, 70-75.
[6]	Boyadjiev, N., & Taralov, Z. (2000). Red blood cell variables in highly trained pubescent athletes: A comparative analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 34, 200-204. doi:10.1136/bjsm.34.3.200
[7]	Bio Nigan, I., Gouthon, P., Falola, J. M., Alegbeh, S., Hele, B., & Tonon, B. A. (2011). The food ration of soccer players in sub-Saharan countries: A case study of Togolese U-17 team during 2007 African nations’ tournament. International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Studies and Sports Research, 1, 294-305.
[8]	Clement, D. B., & Sawchuk, L. L. (1984). Iron status and sports performance. Sports Medicine, 1, 65-74. doi:10.2165/00007256-198401010-00005
[9]	Cordova, M. A., & Escanero J. F. (1992). Iron, transferrin, and haptoglobin levels after a single bout of exercise in men. Physiology and Behavior, 51, 719-722. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(92)90107-D
[10]	Désidéri-Vaillant, C., Bourrilhon, C., Cravic, J. Y., Hernandez, E., Ramirez, J., Renard, C. & Burnat, P. (2003). Etude des paramètres biologiques de 160 athlètes de l’école interarmées des sports de Fontainebleau. Médecine et armées, 31, 33-41.
[11]	Dillon, J. C. (2000). Prévention de la carence en fer et des anémies ferriprives en milieu tropical. Médecine Tropicale, 60, 83-91.
[12]	Douglas, P. D. (1989). Effect of a season of competition and training on hematological status of women field hockey and soccer players. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 29, 179-183.
[13]	Fallon, K. E. (2004). Utility of hematological and iron-related screening in elite athletes. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 14, 145-152. doi:10.1097/00042752-200405000-00007
[14]	Gledhill, N., Warburton, D., & Jamnick, V. (1999). Haemoglobin, blood volume, cardiac function and aerobic power. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 24, 54-65. doi:10.1139/h99-006
[15]	Gouthon, P., Falola, J. M., Bio Nigan, I., Dansou, H. P., Tonon, A. B., Agbangla, F., Yessoufou, L., & Anani, L. (2011). Erythrocyte and iron indices of a soccer team during the first part of a premier league championship in Benin Republic. International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Studies and Sports Research, 1, 185-201.
[16]	Gouthon, P., Akplogan, B., Anani, L., Quenum, C., Dansou, P., Arèmou, M., & Agboton, H. (2007).Valeurs érythrocytaires de jeunes footballeurs en périodes de compétition et de trêve au Bénin. Journal de la Société de Biologie Clinique Bénin, 11, 5-11.
[17]	Guezennec, C. Y. (1989). Données récentes sur l’influence de l’exercice physique sur le métabolisme protéique: Implications nutritionnelles et r?le des hormones. Sciences & Sports, 4, 281-291. doi:10.1016/S0765-1597(89)80017-6
[18]	High Health Authority (2011). Choice of iron metabolism assessment in the case of deficiency suspiscion. Paris: HAS.
[19]	National Institute of Statistics and Economical Analysis (INSAE/ BENIN) of Republic of Benin (2012). Preliminary report. Demographic and health survey and multiple indicators in Republic of Benin EDS MICS IV 2011-2012 (pp. 25-56). Cotonou: INSAE.
[20]	Janssens, G. (2009). Répertoire d’analyses de biologie clinique. URL (last checked 22 December 2010). www.ulb-ibc.be/Repertoire_IBC_2009_2pdf
[21]	Kindé-Gasard, D., Oke, J., Gnahoui, I., & Massougbodji, A. (2000). Le risque de paludisme tranfusionnel à Cotonou. Cahier Santé de la Francophonie, 6, 389-390.
[22]	Lesesve, J. F., Andolfatto, S., Guinot, M., Gelot, M. A., Franck, P., Béné, M. C., Lierde, F. V., Rehn, Y., & Dine, G. (2000). Résultats d’hémogrammes d’une série de cyclistes de haut niveau: exemple d’un facteur de variation biologique. Annales de Biologie Clinique, 4, 467-471.
[23]	Malcovati, L., Pascutto, C., & Cazzola, M. (2003). Hematologic passport for athletes competing in endurance sports: A feasibility study. Haematologica, 88, 570-581.
[24]	Martin, A. (2000). Nutritional intake for the french population (3rd ed). Paris: Editions Tec et Doc/Lavoisier.
[25]	Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Benin (2009). Directory of health statistics 2009. Cotonou: MSP-Benin.
[26]	Moulessehoul, S., Demmouche, A., Chafi, Y., & Benali, M. (2004). Impact de la supplémentation en fer chez des femmes enceintes suivies au Centre de Protection Maternelle et Infantile de Sidi Bel Abbès (Ouest Algérien). Cahier Santé, 14, 21-29.
[27]	Portal, S., Epstein, M., & Dubnov, V. (2003). Iron deficiency and anemia in female athletes: Causes and riks. Harefuah, 142, 698-703.
[28]	Pizza, F. X., Flynn, M. G., Boone, J. B., Rodriguez-Zayas, J. R., & Andres, F. F. (1997). Serum haptoglobin and ferritin during a competitive running and swimming season. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 18, 233-237. doi:10.1055/s-2007-972625
[29]	Poortmans, J. R. (1984). Protein turnover and amino acids oxidation during and after exercide. In P. Marconnet, J. R. Poortmans, & L. Hermanssen (Eds.), Physiological chemistry of training and detraining (pp. 130-147). Basel: Kareger.
[30]	Rietjens, G. J., Kuipers, H., Hartgens, F., & Keizer H. A. (2002). Red blood cell profile of elite Olympic distance triathletes. A three year follow up. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 23, 391-396. doi:10.1055/s-2002-33736
[31]	Santhiago, V., da Silva, A. S., Papoti, M., & Gobatto, C. A. (2009). Responses of hematological parameters and aerobic performance of elite men and women swimmers during a 14-week training program. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 23, 1097-1105. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318194e088
[32]	Silva, A. S., Santhiago, V., Papoti, M., & Gobatto, C. A. (2008). Hematological parameters and anaerobic threshold in Brazilian soccer players throughout a training program. International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, 30, 158-166. doi:10.1111/j.1751-553X.2007.00919.x
[33]	Schobersberger, W., Tschann, M., Hasibeder, W., Steidl, M., Herold, M., Nachbauer, W., & Koller, A. (1990). Consequences of 6 weeks of strength training on red cell O2 transport and iron status. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 60, 163-168. doi:10.1007/BF00839152
[34]	Schumacher, Y. O., Schmid, A., K?nig, D., & Berg, A. (2002). Effects of exercise on soluble transferrin receptor and other variables of the iron status. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36, 195-200. doi:10.1136/bjsm.36.3.195
[35]	Szygula, Z. (1990). Erythrocytic system under the influence of physical exercise training. Sports Medicine, 10, 187-197. doi:10.2165/00007256-199010030-00004
[36]	Wilkinson, J. G., Martin, D. T., Adams, A. A., & Liebman, M. (2002). Iron status in cyclists during high-intensity interval training and recovery. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 23, 544-548. doi:10.1055/s-2002-35528
[37]	Wilmore, J. H., & Costill, D. L. (2006). Sports and exercise physiology: Physiological adaptations to exercise. Brussels: de Boeck.
[38]	Zapico, A. G., Calderón, F. J., Benito, P. J., González, C. B., Parisi, A., Pigozzi, F., & Di Salvo, V. (2007). Evolution of physiological and haematological parameters with training load in elite male road cyclists: A longitudinal study. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 47, 191-196.