INFLUENCE OF SHUTTLE RUN TESTS ON HEMORHEOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Abstract

Hemorheological variations are commonly observed in exercise. However, the exact mechanisms causing these variations are not conclusive. In this study, hemorheological parameters were assessed prior to a shuttle run test, immediately after and 24h following the test, to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the changes. Nine non-smoking professional soccer players volunteered to participate in the study. Total blood counts, erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were evaluated in samples taken prior and following the shuttle run test and 24h after the completion of the test. According to their test performances, the subjects’ aerobic power levels were obtained from maxVO2 estimate tables. When erythrocyte deformability was assessed under 0.53, 0.95, 1.69, 3.00 and 5.33 Pa shear stress, it was found to be increased following the acute exercise test (p<0.05). As the aggregation index increased following the test, the time lapse for erythrocyte banking up decreased (p<0.05). Blood hematocrit levels, hemoglobin concentrations and erythrocyte counts increased significantly (p<0.05). Twenty four hours following the test, these levels were lower in comparison to pre-test figures (p<0.05). Leukocyte parameters (WBC, NE, %NE, LY, %LY, MO, EO, %EO, BA) were observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05), when compared with pre-test levels. Statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05) for thrombocyte counts prior to-, immediately after and 24h following the test. Total blood volume and hemoglobin level increases of athletes carries an essential role in oxygen transport, and hence is connected closely with their aerobic power (VO2max) levels.