What is the cause of sports anemia?
1 Answer
Sports anaemia is caused by plasma volume expansion, low haemoglobin synthesis or by the increased destruction of red blood cells.
Explanation:
Sports anaemia is a condition in which an individual has a haemoglobin concentration that is less than ideal for endurance performance.
An increased level of intensity in workouts is a common cause of this condition in athletes. It involves a sudden loss of plasma volume, early in one's workout. This is typically due to the production of sweat and fluid loss, as well as an increase in arterial blood pressure and muscular compression of venules. High iron loss due to very intense training is a common cause of this condition.
In general athletes naturally have lower haemoglobin concentrations than individuals who are sedentary. A diet low in iron can be the root cause of sports anaemia. However, it is easy and quick to treat. Moderate adjustments like recommended iron supplements and training modifications that help the body to sustain a healthy amount of iron for optimal athletic performance usually help in treating sports anaemia.
