Donating blood
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Donating blood
Postby philip » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:39 am
Although this isn't scientific at all (I don't have an HRM or anything) this seems to correspond to what I've read about donating blood and exercise (there is on study done on cyclists in particular) - it affects maximal efforts for 7-10 days after donating blood as red blood cells are diminished for that period. Sub-maximal exercise does not seem to be affected noticeably. I had initially wanted to do just a plasma donation (as they give you back your red blood cells), but they don't let you unless you've done a full donation in the past 2 years and the last time I had donated was a bit over 2 years ago.
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Donating blood
Postby Comedian » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:09 am
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Donating blood
Postby Comedian » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:17 am
Wow you are the same height as me (nearly) and 15kg less.philip wrote:I'm 185cm, 75kg
Do larger people have more blood? I think they take 600ml from everyone. I'm booked to give blood but I didn't know it was going to knock me around like this.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby philip » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:43 am
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Re: Donating blood
Postby toolonglegs » Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:36 pm
Although I never have that moral issue...as I lived in the UK during "mad cow" time no one ever wants my blood.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby Chanboy » Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:43 pm
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Re: Donating blood
Postby philip » Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:45 pm
From what I have read, it's not really "giving away" your hard work since when your red blood cell count is back to normal you should be pretty much back to where you were before donating blood (~2 weeks). Is this not the case?toolonglegs wrote:gives away all your hard work
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Re: Donating blood
Postby fenn_paddler » Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:55 pm
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Re: Donating blood
Postby toolonglegs » Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:02 pm
I don't know the finer details...but if what you say is the case then your losing a bit of fitness.If it takes two weeks for you blood levels to get back to normal then you aren't going as hard as you could for two weeks.I expect timing is all important if you have a big event on etc.I expect as long as you are not racing this weekend you will be fine.I can't talk...last time I gave blood...I then went and got blind ...worst hangover I ever had!.philip wrote:From what I have read, it's not really "giving away" your hard work since when your red blood cell count is back to normal you should be pretty much back to where you were before donating blood (~2 weeks). Is this not the case?toolonglegs wrote:gives away all your hard work
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Re: Donating blood
Postby sogood » Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:14 pm
It indeed is a great thing, one that keeps our society going round and round. One day you may well be on the receiving end of a drop of red.toolonglegs wrote:Donating blood,while a great thing to do...it really is a bad idea for an endurance athlete who wants to be competitive...gives away all your hard work.
Otherwise as mentioned, the effect is temporary and it does not reverse any endurance built up in muscle/cardiorespiratory metabolism. It's purely a temporary deficit in red blood cells and oxygen carrying capacity.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby sogood » Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:17 pm
Hardness is not how you perceive but what the cells are subjected to and the oxygen deficient stress it receives. So once the red cells and oxygen carrying capacity is brought back to normal in days time, one may perform even better.toolonglegs wrote:I don't know the finer details...but if what you say is the case then your losing a bit of fitness.If it takes two weeks for you blood levels to get back to normal then you aren't going as hard as you could for two weeks.I expect timing is all important if you have a big event on etc.I expect as long as you are not racing this weekend you will be fine.I can't talk...last time I gave blood...I then went and got blind ...worst hangover I ever had!.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby toolonglegs » Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:38 pm
Doing a maximal test 2 hours after blood donation .An article in Omega Cycling by Dr P A Lambeti (MBBcH), said, in part:
"A study has been done looking at the effects of blood donation on exercise performance in competitive cyclists. This study evaluated 10 male cyclists before and after phlebotomy (donating blood), to determine the effect of donation of one unit 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. The results found that maximal performance was decreased for at least one week and that submaximal performance was unaffected by blood donation.
Thus, if you are a competitive cyclist, do not donate blood within 7 – 10 days of a competitive race, as your performance will be compromised. If you are a casual cyclist performing submaximally, you may not experience any deleterious effects apart from a higher heart rate than normal from the day after donating."
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Re: Donating blood
Postby goneriding » Thu Sep 23, 2010 4:46 pm
+1. I've also started falling down alot recentlytoolonglegs wrote:Although I never have that moral issue...as I lived in the UK during "mad cow" time no one ever wants my blood.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby philip » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:43 pm
Yeah I don't have any races planned for a couple of weeks which is why I did it last weekend - also my girlfriend talked me into it. I used to donate regularly when I was at uni but haven't since.toolonglegs wrote:I expect timing is all important if you have a big event on etc.I expect as long as you are not racing this weekend you will be fine.
haha doesn't surprise metoolonglegs wrote:I can't talk...last time I gave blood...I then went and got blind ...worst hangover I ever had!
Would doing just a plasma donation therefore not have negative effect after a short time when the blood volume is back to normal?sogood wrote:Otherwise as mentioned, the effect is temporary and it does not reverse any endurance built up in muscle/cardiorespiratory metabolism. It's purely a temporary deficit in red blood cells and oxygen carrying capacity.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby Sweeper59 » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:07 pm
I'd encourage everyone who can to donate blood. It just takes a bit of planning to ensure it doesn't affect your training. I wouldn't recommend giving blood directly before a major event.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby flammer » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:22 pm
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Re: Donating blood
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:40 pm
I don't race so I dont care about negative effects, I just take it easy for the next couple days. I usually ride to and from the mobile but just amble along.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby foo on patrol » Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:12 pm
Lucky so far I don't need blood taken, otherwise I would do it. Was advised against it when I was racing, but that line of thought may have changed since then.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby sogood » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:56 pm
The satisfaction of knowing one's donated blood has helped to save a young child or a fellow cyclist who got struck down by a truck is far far greater than a $10 win at the local criterium.toolonglegs wrote:Seems to a lot of opposing views out there.From what I understood blood volume returns to previous levels with in 48 hours....but red blood cells take up to 2 months.Surely if red blood cells levels affect performance then you wont be back to your previous levels all that quick?
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby sogood » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:59 pm
Plasma is just water and blood protein and others, without the cells. And "performance" is all about blood oxygen carrying capacity, which in turn is dependent on the haemoglobin contained with red cells. So your understanding is correct.philip wrote:Would doing just a plasma donation therefore not have negative effect after a short time when the blood volume is back to normal?
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby ruscook » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:06 pm
Generally I ride to and from the blood bank.... They nearly didn't believe me when I donated last summer on the way home after riding 70km with another 15 or so to get home after donating... Obviously made sure I was very hydrated and rode easy-normal on the way home. No ill affects at all.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby toolonglegs » Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:53 pm
I totally agree...but as you can only donate every 2 or 3 months then it doesn't hurt to time your donations if you have something coming up you would like to do well in.sogood wrote:The satisfaction of knowing one's donated blood has helped to save a young child or a fellow cyclist who got struck down by a truck is far far greater than a $10 win at the local criterium.toolonglegs wrote:Seems to a lot of opposing views out there.From what I understood blood volume returns to previous levels with in 48 hours....but red blood cells take up to 2 months.Surely if red blood cells levels affect performance then you wont be back to your previous levels all that quick?
For me it is not an issue as I can't donate.
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Re: Donating blood
Postby rolandp » Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:46 pm
They are always after new bleeders, so if you can give blood, see Red Cross Give Bloodfor more information. Around 70 odd donations for me, though this is an estimate as I've given in the UK and Australia (no Mad Cow for me - there in the 'safer' period).
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Re: Donating blood
Postby sogood » Fri Sep 24, 2010 8:18 am
Yes, that was an unfortunate move by the RC. Disappointed quite a few long time donors when for so long they've recognized frequent donors like airline FF programs.ruscook wrote:I donate although I have a lay off for another 2 months due to a recent medical procedure. Worst thing - I missed donating for about 10yrs in my 30's/early 40's and they changed systems twice and didn't carry my records over. My history now shows about 6 donations instead of over 50!
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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