Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team
Background: The effective monitoring of athletes’ adaptation is crucial to optimize the outcomes of altitude camps and minimize the risk of maladaptation to the hypoxic stress and intensive training. This case report assessed the hematological adaptations in 22 world-class female water polo players...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Sports |
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| author | Iñigo Mujika Jocelyn Mara Irina Zelenkova Rodrigo Zacca David B. Pyne |
| author_facet | Iñigo Mujika Jocelyn Mara Irina Zelenkova Rodrigo Zacca David B. Pyne |
| author_sort | Iñigo Mujika |
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| description | Background: The effective monitoring of athletes’ adaptation is crucial to optimize the outcomes of altitude camps and minimize the risk of maladaptation to the hypoxic stress and intensive training. This case report assessed the hematological adaptations in 22 world-class female water polo players during a 16-day ‘live high-train high’ (LHTH) altitude camp (2320 m) and evaluated the differences between selected (n = 13) and non-selected (n = 9) players and between playing positions. Methods: Hematological parameters, including total hemoglobin mass (tHB<sub>mass</sub>) and blood volume, were measured before and after the camp. Resting heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, body mass, fatigue, and sleep were monitored daily. Results: Relative tHb<sub>mass</sub> increased PRE to POST (5.4 ± 5.1%, range −3.9–20.2), but blood volume did not change (<i>p</i> = 0.797). Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width increased PRE–POST (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ES = 1.21–2.69), while mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ES = 0.51 and 0.72, respectively). No substantial differences were observed in the hematological parameters between selected and non-selected players. There was a large difference in the change in relative blood volume between centers (n = 4, PRE 74.1 ± 5.4, POST 69.7 ± 5.9 mL/kg; mean ± SD) and field players (n = 15, PRE 80.8 ± 10.6, POST 82.8 ± 6.8 mL/kg; adj <i>p</i> = 0.046, ES = 1.15) and between centers and goalkeepers (n = 3, PRE 89.7 ± 9.6, POST 82.0 ± 7.1 mL/kg; adj <i>p</i> = 0.046, ES = 1.62). Conclusions: A 16-day LHTH camp can induce favorable hematological adaptations in world-class women’s water polo players, without substantial differences between selected and non-selected players, and larger increases in field players. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-953ccd9452454deebe1e01f34d22896e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4663 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sports |
| spelling | doaj-art-953ccd9452454deebe1e01f34d22896e2025-08-20T03:44:03ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-03-011338610.3390/sports13030086Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning TeamIñigo Mujika0Jocelyn Mara1Irina Zelenkova2Rodrigo Zacca3David B. Pyne4Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, SpainResearch Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, AustraliaGrowth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainResearch Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP), 4200-450 Porto, PortugalResearch Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, AustraliaBackground: The effective monitoring of athletes’ adaptation is crucial to optimize the outcomes of altitude camps and minimize the risk of maladaptation to the hypoxic stress and intensive training. This case report assessed the hematological adaptations in 22 world-class female water polo players during a 16-day ‘live high-train high’ (LHTH) altitude camp (2320 m) and evaluated the differences between selected (n = 13) and non-selected (n = 9) players and between playing positions. Methods: Hematological parameters, including total hemoglobin mass (tHB<sub>mass</sub>) and blood volume, were measured before and after the camp. Resting heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, body mass, fatigue, and sleep were monitored daily. Results: Relative tHb<sub>mass</sub> increased PRE to POST (5.4 ± 5.1%, range −3.9–20.2), but blood volume did not change (<i>p</i> = 0.797). Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width increased PRE–POST (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ES = 1.21–2.69), while mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.001, ES = 0.51 and 0.72, respectively). No substantial differences were observed in the hematological parameters between selected and non-selected players. There was a large difference in the change in relative blood volume between centers (n = 4, PRE 74.1 ± 5.4, POST 69.7 ± 5.9 mL/kg; mean ± SD) and field players (n = 15, PRE 80.8 ± 10.6, POST 82.8 ± 6.8 mL/kg; adj <i>p</i> = 0.046, ES = 1.15) and between centers and goalkeepers (n = 3, PRE 89.7 ± 9.6, POST 82.0 ± 7.1 mL/kg; adj <i>p</i> = 0.046, ES = 1.62). Conclusions: A 16-day LHTH camp can induce favorable hematological adaptations in world-class women’s water polo players, without substantial differences between selected and non-selected players, and larger increases in field players.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/3/86hemoglobin massblood volumehypoxiateam sportsrecoveryadaptation |
| spellingShingle | Iñigo Mujika Jocelyn Mara Irina Zelenkova Rodrigo Zacca David B. Pyne Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team Sports hemoglobin mass blood volume hypoxia team sports recovery adaptation |
| title | Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team |
| title_full | Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team |
| title_fullStr | Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team |
| title_short | Hematological Adaptations to Altitude Training in Female Water Polo Players: A Case Report of a World Championships Medal-Winning Team |
| title_sort | hematological adaptations to altitude training in female water polo players a case report of a world championships medal winning team |
| topic | hemoglobin mass blood volume hypoxia team sports recovery adaptation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/3/86 |
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