The International Biathlon Union, through its own Medical Commission, has undertaken
a three-year program amed at identifying the hematocrit levels of athletes who participate
in biathlons. The purpose was to check for hematocrit levels exceeding normal physiological
values as well as for any significant modifications within individuals during the
course of the competitive season. All of the athletes registered in international
biathlon races were, therefore, subjected to venous blood sampling (1 cc) three times
a year prior to competition, in the days preceding two World Cup races (December and
January) and the World Championships (February). The blood was centrifuged, the micro-hematocrit
determined, and the value (rendered anonymous) recorded. This procedure was repeated
for three consecutive competitive seasons (Dec. 1994-Feb. 1995, Dec. 1995-Feb. 1996,
Dec. 1996-Feb. 1997). During this three-year period, the collected data showed a significant
lowering of the average hematocrit level. In fact, from the first February sampling
to the third February sampling, the average hematocrit value for the male population
dropped from 48.04±2.36 to 46.33±1.91, and for the female population from 44.05±2.44
to 42.52±1.92. Even the distribution of the absolute hematocrit values was modified
from the first to the third competitive season, especially for the February sampling,
with a ≥ 50 % reduction for males and a ≥ 48 % reduction for females.
Key words
Biathlon - hematocrit - hematological parameters
