Assessment of blood biochemical parameters in endurance swimming: Hematological biomarkers and their implications

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the hematological biochemical parameters of young female athletes specializing in endurance sports, with a specific focus on their training and competitive conditions. Eight athletes, aged 12-14 years, were assessed over multiple testing periods between 2022 and 2024. Anthropometric data, including body weight (45-56.7 kg) and height (155-167.5 cm), were recorded alongside critical hematological parameters: white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT#), lymphocyte count (LYMPH#), monocyte count (MONO#), eosinophil count (EO#), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT). Key findings revealed mean values of WBC (6.33 × 10⁹/L), RBC (4.76 × 10¹²/L), HGB (13.64 g/dL), and HCT (40.54%), which fall within the normal physiological ranges for active adolescents, indicating adequate oxygen transport and recovery capacity. However, variations in PLT (mean: 376.88 × 10³/µL, SD: 54.53) and MCHC (mean: 33.66 g/dL, SD: 0.85) highlight the impact of intense training loads on vascular and hematological function. Statistical distribution analysis across biomarkers showed normal variability, with elevated RBC and HGB values observed in older athletes, likely reflecting physiological adaptation to training. This research provides critical insights into the hematological profiles of youth athletes, establishing baseline data that can guide training optimization, recovery strategies, and early detection of overtraining or health risks. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to explore dynamic changes in these biomarkers over the course of athletic development.