Haematological parameters in elite rugby players during a competitive season.

We assessed haematological parameters and possible modifications in elite rugby players throughout a competitive season for increasing the knowledge of physiological characteristics of these sportsmen. Blood samples were collected from the members of the Italian National rugby team at four consecutive training camps during a whole competitive season. Forty-four athletes were recruited for the first camp, 36 for the second, 30 for the third and 32 for the fourth. Due to turnover of the subjects during the season only 13 athletes could be examined at all four camps, and another six in the first three camps. Therefore, we selected the data of these 19 athletes. Iron and transferrin saturation were stable, whilst ferritin increased at the end of the season. The modifications of the soluble transferrin receptor (sTFR) were linked to those of haematocrit: sTFR increased after training and during the competition period when haemoglobin and haematocrit decreased, and decreased at the end of the season. Haemoglobin and haematocrit showed slightly higher levels during the first part of the season and decreased in the second half, when physical demand was high, as demonstrated by biochemical additional tests. Leucocytes and platelets were stable throughout the season. Haematological and iron metabolism parameters in the elite rugby players examined during a whole season fall within physiological range of values. The variability of the parameters during the season is related to training and competition workload. Reticulocytes and sTFR are the most sensitive parameters for studying the iron metabolism of the athletes.