Int J Sports Med 1991; 12(5): 509-510
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024725
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Sickle Cell Trait in Ivory Coast Athletic Champions, 1956-1989

D. Le Gallais1 , C. Préfaur2 , C. Dulat3 , J. Macabies2 , J. Lonsdorfer4
  • 1Centre National de Médecine du Sport 01 BP V 54 - Abidjan 01
  • 2Service d'Exploration de la Fonction Respiratoire Hôpital Aiguelongue, 34059 Montpellier Cedex
  • 3Service de Biologie, Institut National de la Santé Publique, 01 BP V 47 Abidjan 01
  • 4Laboratoire de Physiologie et d'Explorations Fonctionnelles, Faculté de Médecine 01 BP V 166 - Abidjan 01
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Thirteen sickle cell trait carriers (SCTC) were found among 129 Ivory Coast champions or record holders in races for the period from 1956 to 1989 (10.1%). These 13 SCTC won 33 titles and national records (7.0%): 32 (12.5%) in races of 400 m or less and only one (0.004%) in races of 800 m or more, and the highest-performing SCTC won 8 titles and national records. A comparison with non-SCTC Ivory Coast champions shows that SCTC won significantly fewer titles than non-SCTC in long-distance races and that they won fewer titles during their careers.