Why is Blood testing in Sport important?
Blood is a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. In vertebrates, it is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma. Plasma, which constitutes 55% of blood fluid, is mostly water, and contains proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, and blood cells themselves.
Albumin is the main protein in plasma, and it functions to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood. The blood cells are mainly red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The most abundant cells in vertebrate blood are red blood cells. These contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein, which facilitates oxygen transport by reversibly binding to this respiratory gas and greatly increasing its solubility in blood. In contrast, carbon dioxide is mostly transported extracellularly as bicarbonate ion transported in plasma.
Summary
When should you think about having a blood test?
How do I get a Blood Test?
We have profiles available including the Blue Horizon CORE 14 Sports Blood Test (Which covers the more common deficiencies as listed above)
We also offer more general health tests, including Full blood count, Liver Function tests, Kidney Function and Diabetes testing. Find out more here: https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/collections/a-z-test-catalog
- This is increasingly being considered essential for the keen amateur and not just the professional sportsman or sportswoman.
- There is now a wide range of substances ‘at risk’ of deficiency in athletes.
- Nutrients and Hormones may be under the spotlight and at risk of being unhealthily low.
- Well.. we spend £££ on new bikes, shoes, watches, clothing, membership fees.. but not health checks?
- Monitors can measure HR, VO2 max, Lactate Threshold, FTP. Great for gauging improvement or deterioration but...
- How many actually consider the objective testing of the body itself?
- For the cost of a couple of Rubino tyres or a nice pair of Nikes you can!
Blood is a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. In vertebrates, it is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma. Plasma, which constitutes 55% of blood fluid, is mostly water, and contains proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, and blood cells themselves.
Albumin is the main protein in plasma, and it functions to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood. The blood cells are mainly red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The most abundant cells in vertebrate blood are red blood cells. These contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein, which facilitates oxygen transport by reversibly binding to this respiratory gas and greatly increasing its solubility in blood. In contrast, carbon dioxide is mostly transported extracellularly as bicarbonate ion transported in plasma.
Summary
- If performance is dropping unexpectedly, consider an underlying deficiency
- Iron deficiency particularly common in endurance athletes, especially females
- Be wary of pre-existing medical conditions or dietary limitations
- Common hormonal deficiencies may be revealed by intense exercise
When should you think about having a blood test?
- Before embarking upon a training programme
- Annual review
- When performance is unexpectedly dropping off
How do I get a Blood Test?
We have profiles available including the Blue Horizon CORE 14 Sports Blood Test (Which covers the more common deficiencies as listed above)
We also offer more general health tests, including Full blood count, Liver Function tests, Kidney Function and Diabetes testing. Find out more here: https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/collections/a-z-test-catalog
