Turpinen, J. -P., Heinonen, O., Videman, T., & Rusko, H. K. (2000). Effect of plasma volume expansion on hemoglobin and hematocrit in cross-country skiers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 218.

The International Ski Federation (FISA) has ruled that when men exceed a hemoglobin concentration of 185 and women exceed 165, they should be excluded from competition for health reasons. This study investigated the effect of intravenous plasma volume expansion with one liter of 0.9% natriumchloride on Hb concentration and hematocrit. National level cross-country skiers (N = 15) served as Ss.

With plasma expansion, both hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were significantly lowered, but that also occurred with a control condition. The values for plasma expansion were lower than in the control and only significantly lower for hemoglobin concentration.

It was concluded that plasma manipulation by one liter is not very effective for decreasing Hb concentration probably due to rapid fluid shifts between extra- and intracellular fluid and plasma.

Implication. Plasma volume expansion has only a minor effect on hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit.

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