New parameters and reference values for monitoring iron status in Middle Eastern adolescent male athletes.

AIM: Hematological and biochemical parameters of 160 Middle Eastern adolescent male athletes (aged from 12-18 years) were tested in order to investigate their iron status and to establish reference values for this population. A focus of this study was also the investigation of Reticulocyte hemoglobin (RetHe) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). METHODS: Complete blood count, reticulocyte and sera parameters were analyzed at the beginning of the training season for these adolescent athletes. As the diagnosis of iron deficiency in adolescents is extremely difficult subjects were subdivided in three age groups (12-13, 14-15, 16-18). RESULTS: For most of the parameters our results confirmed the existing reference values reported in young athletes. Exceptions were however found with lower Mean Cell Volumes (79.9±4.3 fl) in this group when compared to other age matched data. RetHe, ferritin and sTfR levels were monitored for the interpretation of the iron status in this population and reference values for these parameters were also established. CONCLUSIONS: Information to help evidence based decision making about the need for supplementation or further investigations is provided to physicians and nutritionists. RetHe with a proposed threshold value of 25 pg expands the list of parameters which can be used to monitor athletes.

Relationships between anthropometric and physiological characteristics with throwing velocity and on water jump of female water polo players.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the anthropometric, the physiological, as well as performance related characteristics of elite female water polo players and the two important technical game parameters such as throwing velocity and on water jump. METHODS: Thirty-three female professional water polo players (age:21.7±5.4 years, height: 171.5±5.8 cm, body mass: 65.5±8.0 Kg) members of the top four teams of the Greek A1 women league were assessed for anthropometric and body composition characteristics, for physiological and performance related characteristics as well as technical characteristics. All tests were completed a month prior to an extremely important sport event. RESULTS: The percentage of body fat was 23.6±7.0 % and lean body mass was 50.0±5.6 kg. VO(2peak) was 47.5±5.8 ml∙kg(-1) ∙min(-1), La (peak) 7.50±1.50 mmol∙l(-1) and the swimming speed at 25-m sprint test as an indicator of the anaerobic power was 1.76±0.1 m∙s(-1). The throwing velocity was 15.54±0.71 m s(-1) and vertical jump on water 61.65±3.68 cm. External-internal rotator muscles torque showed about a 1:1 ratio. Body lengths, swimming speed, internal-external torque of shoulder muscles as well as VO(2) were significantly correlated with ball throwing velocity (r=0.36 to r=0.70, P<0.05). Body composition and swimming speed were associated with the on-water jump (r=0.34 to r=0.72, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the physiological and anthropometric features that correlate with the two mainly used techniques in water-polo (throwing velocity and on water jump) can be used by coaches to implement effective training programs.