Moderate endurance exercise is not a risk for rhabdomyolysis or renal failure in sickle cell trait carriers.

This study tested the hypothesis that trained sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers are not subjected to greater risk of rhabdomyolysis or renal failure in response to moderate submaximal exercise than subjects with normal hemoglobin (CONT). Blood markers in 11 trained SCT carriers and 12 control counterparts were measured before and after 40 min of exercise at 55% of peak power output (Ppeak) conducted in thermoneutral environment. Body weights decreased with exercise in the same proportion in the two groups (from 65.1 ± 7.0 kg to 64.1 ± 7.0 kg and from 70.2 ± 6.6 to 68.6 ± 6.6 kg at the end of exercise in SCT and CONT, respectively). Heart rate and rectal temperature increased in the two groups in response to exercise, but the groups remained closely matched. Serum urea, CRP, CK and LDH were similar in the two groups and remained unchanged in response to exercise. Creatinine, Na(+), K(+), Cl(-) and myoglobin concentrations increased above baseline in response to exercise, with changes of the same magnitude in the two groups. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that moderate submaximal exercise is not unsafe from a biochemical point of view for sportsmen carrying SCT.

Effects of hydration and dehydration on blood rheology in sickle cell trait carriers during exercise.

This study compared the hemorheological responses of a group of sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers with those of a control (Cont) group in response to 40 min of submaximal exercise (exercise intensity, 55% aerobic peak power) performed in two conditions: one with water offered ad libitum, i.e., the hydration (Hyd) condition, and one without water, i.e., the dehydration (Dehyd) condition. Blood and plasma viscosities, as well as red blood cell rigidity, were determined at rest, at the end of exercise, and at 2 h recovery with a cone plate viscometer at high shear rate and 37 degrees C. The SCT and Cont groups lost 1 +/- 0.7 and 1.6 +/- 0.6 kg of body weight, respectively, in the Dehyd condition, indicating a significant effect of water deprivation compared with the Hyd condition, in which body weight remained unchanged. Plasma viscosity increased with exercise and returned to baseline during recovery independently of the group and condition. As previously demonstrated, resting blood viscosity was greater in the SCT carriers than in the Cont group. Blood viscosity increased by the end of exercise and returned to baseline at 2 h recovery in the Cont group in both conditions. The blood viscosity of SCT carriers did not change in response to exercise in the Dehyd condition and remained elevated at 2 h recovery. This extended hyperviscosity, in association with other biological changes induced by exercise, could be considered as a risk factor for exercise-related events in SCT carriers, similar to vasoocclusive crises, notably during the recovery. In contrast, the Hyd condition normalized the hyperviscosity and red blood cell rigidity of the SCT carriers, with blood viscosity values reaching the same lower values as those found in the Cont group during the recovery. Adequate hydration of SCT carriers should be strongly promoted to reduce the clinical risk associated with potential hyperviscosity complications.