Effects of Blood Donation on Exercise Performance in Competitive Cdyclists

Robert A. Panebianco, MD, Nina Stachenfeld, PhD, Neil L. Coplan, MD, and Gilbert W. Gleim, PhD

The Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma and the Cardiology Section, Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, N.Y.

This study evaluated 10 male cyclists before and after phlebotomy to determine the effect of donation of 1 U of blood on exercise performance. Each subject underwent maximal exercise testing with oxygen consumption measurement at baseline, 2 hours after phlebotomy, 2 days after phlebotomy, and 7 days after phlebotomy. Maximal performance was decreased for at least 1 week. Submaximal performance was unaffected by blood donation.

Am. Heart J. 1995;130:838-40.