Changes in the morphological, rheological, and biochemical blood indicators in triathletes

The aim of this study was to assess how the influence of intense physical effort changes the morphological, rheological, and biochemical blood indicators in triathletes. The study group comprised 10 triathletes aged 30-45 years, members of the Active Side of Life Association (Kraków, Poland). Venous blood was collected from the study participants twice, before and after the DiablakBeskid Extreme Triathlon 2016 (the Carpathians, Poland), and once from the control group for analysis of the selected blood indicators. Statistically significant changes were observed in the study group before and after the triathlon in morphological blood indicators, in the elongation index at the shear stress of 0.30 and 0.58 Pa, in levels of electrolytes, creatinine (mmol/l), serum protein parameters, and high-sensitivity troponin (ng/l). No such differences were reported for the remaining parameters. In turn, when comparing the study group before the triathlon with the control group, statistically significant differences were recorded in MCHC (g/dl), in the elongation index at the shear stress of 0.30 and 0.58 Pa, and Cl– (mmol/l) levels. No such differences were reported for the remaining parameters. Blood haematological and biochemical indicators in individuals that participate in triathlons characterize the actual range and direction of effort-related changes well and allow for the diagnosis of transient adaptive effects. Rheological parameters, involving the evaluation of erythrocyte deformability and aggregation, are useful for monitoring the particularly undesirable, short- and long-term effects of practicing extreme sports such as triathlons.