Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies
Introduction Anemia is a widespread hematological disorder characterized by low hemoglobin levels, which reduce the blood’s capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues. Iron deficiency, its leading cause, is essential for hemoglobin synthesis, myoglobin function, and energy production. While anemia ca...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60140 |
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| author | Gabriela Blecharz Julia Szwech Karolina Baran Natalia Jańczyk Karolina Mędrysa Jakub Pokrzepa Michał Presak Alicja Winkowska Marlena Jankowska Katarzyna Bartnik |
| author_facet | Gabriela Blecharz Julia Szwech Karolina Baran Natalia Jańczyk Karolina Mędrysa Jakub Pokrzepa Michał Presak Alicja Winkowska Marlena Jankowska Katarzyna Bartnik |
| author_sort | Gabriela Blecharz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Anemia is a widespread hematological disorder characterized by low hemoglobin levels, which reduce the blood’s capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues. Iron deficiency, its leading cause, is essential for hemoglobin synthesis, myoglobin function, and energy production. While anemia can manifest in various forms, its impact on athletic performance remains a subject of ongoing research.
Given the increasing prevalence of anemia among athletes, especially in endurance sports, understanding its effects on physical performance is essential for developing effective training and treatment approaches.
Aim of the study
The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of anemia on the physical performance of athletes, the effectiveness of iron supplementation and differences in the response to anemia in various sports groups.
Materials and methods
The article was created based on the PubMed and Cochrane databases. The literature was analyzed
using the fallow keywords: anemia, athletes, sport, physical performance, hemoglobin, exercise tolerance, oxygen delivery.
Results
Anemia, particularly iron deficiency, significantly limits athletes' physical performance, especially in endurance sports where oxygen transport is crucial. Treatment with iron supplementation improves performance, but an individualized approach considering factors like gender, age, and sport type is necessary.
Conclusion
Effective diagnosis and treatment of anemia can enhance athletic performance. Regular hematological monitoring, personalized dietary strategies, and appropriate iron supplementation are recommended. Educating athletes, coaches, and medical staff on anemia prevention is essential for optimizing training and performance.
Key words
Anemia, athletes, sport, physical performance, hemoglobin, exercise tolerance, oxygen delivery.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-98a355369d114fea902c7b2b19ca82b0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-98a355369d114fea902c7b2b19ca82b02025-08-20T03:48:46ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60140Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studiesGabriela Blecharzhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-9275-3913Julia Szwechhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-3792-0101Karolina Baranhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-1627-5065Natalia Jańczykhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-1862-9681Karolina Mędrysahttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-1557-0244Jakub Pokrzepahttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-7907-1511Michał Presakhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-0335-5917Alicja Winkowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-2050-0031Marlena Jankowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-2240-8853Katarzyna Bartnikhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-9095-5875Introduction Anemia is a widespread hematological disorder characterized by low hemoglobin levels, which reduce the blood’s capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues. Iron deficiency, its leading cause, is essential for hemoglobin synthesis, myoglobin function, and energy production. While anemia can manifest in various forms, its impact on athletic performance remains a subject of ongoing research. Given the increasing prevalence of anemia among athletes, especially in endurance sports, understanding its effects on physical performance is essential for developing effective training and treatment approaches. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of anemia on the physical performance of athletes, the effectiveness of iron supplementation and differences in the response to anemia in various sports groups. Materials and methods The article was created based on the PubMed and Cochrane databases. The literature was analyzed using the fallow keywords: anemia, athletes, sport, physical performance, hemoglobin, exercise tolerance, oxygen delivery. Results Anemia, particularly iron deficiency, significantly limits athletes' physical performance, especially in endurance sports where oxygen transport is crucial. Treatment with iron supplementation improves performance, but an individualized approach considering factors like gender, age, and sport type is necessary. Conclusion Effective diagnosis and treatment of anemia can enhance athletic performance. Regular hematological monitoring, personalized dietary strategies, and appropriate iron supplementation are recommended. Educating athletes, coaches, and medical staff on anemia prevention is essential for optimizing training and performance. Key words Anemia, athletes, sport, physical performance, hemoglobin, exercise tolerance, oxygen delivery. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60140Anemiaathletessportphysical performancehemoglobinexercise tolerance |
| spellingShingle | Gabriela Blecharz Julia Szwech Karolina Baran Natalia Jańczyk Karolina Mędrysa Jakub Pokrzepa Michał Presak Alicja Winkowska Marlena Jankowska Katarzyna Bartnik Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies Quality in Sport Anemia athletes sport physical performance hemoglobin exercise tolerance |
| title | Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies |
| title_full | Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies |
| title_fullStr | Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies |
| title_short | Hematologic health and athletic performance: exploring the role of anemia. A systematic review of clinical studies |
| title_sort | hematologic health and athletic performance exploring the role of anemia a systematic review of clinical studies |
| topic | Anemia athletes sport physical performance hemoglobin exercise tolerance |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60140 |
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