Haemoglobin is contained in the red blood cells of the body. Each red blood cell contains about 250 million haemoglobin molecules, all capable of carrying considerable quantities of oxygen. The average male has about 14.3 grams of haemoglobin per 100 mL of blood, while the average female has 13.9 grams per 100 mL of blood. Women’s lower levels of haemoglobin contribute to lower VO2 max values.
Most oxygen in the body is transported by the haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Some oxygen is transported in body fluids such as plasma, but the amount is relatively low because oxygen does not dissolve readily in ordinary
fluids. Without haemoglobin, we would need to have about 80 litres of blood (or much more than fills the average car’s petrol tank) to transport enough oxygen to enable us to remain alive at complete rest.
Each red blood cell contains about 250 million haemoglobin molecules. The main function of haemoglobin is to absorb oxygen at the lungs and carry this oxygen to the working muscles and organs via the blood stream. Haemoglobin absorbs oxygen at a very fast rate and this leads to an efficient oxygen transportation system within the body. Women tend to have slightly lower levels of hemoglobin than males. This is a contributing factor to females having lower VO² max values.
Hemoglobin levels increase as a result of training. General endurance training programs increase haemoglobin levels 20 percent. Upon commencement of training, oxygen is removed from the cells. The body responds by producing more red blood cells and haemoglobin, allowing more oxygen to be delivered to the cells.
Over the years athletes and sports scientists have explored many ways of improving haemoglobin levels, particularly for endurance athletes. Legal methods such as high iron diets, altitude training and targeted training have proven to be quite successful. Other methods such as blood doping, blood transfusions and drugs such as EPO have put athlete's health and wellbeing at risk and have been made illegal.
Altitude training involves athletes training at higher altitudes than they are accustomed to, as there is a lower amount of oxygen in the air the greater the distance is from sea level. This causes the body to produce more haemoglobin so the body can absorb oxygen more effectively. Similar effects have also been seen by athletes who use tents that limit the supply of oxygen.
Most oxygen in the body is transported by the haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Some oxygen is transported in body fluids such as plasma, but the amount is relatively low because oxygen does not dissolve readily in ordinary
fluids. Without haemoglobin, we would need to have about 80 litres of blood (or much more than fills the average car’s petrol tank) to transport enough oxygen to enable us to remain alive at complete rest.
Each red blood cell contains about 250 million haemoglobin molecules. The main function of haemoglobin is to absorb oxygen at the lungs and carry this oxygen to the working muscles and organs via the blood stream. Haemoglobin absorbs oxygen at a very fast rate and this leads to an efficient oxygen transportation system within the body. Women tend to have slightly lower levels of hemoglobin than males. This is a contributing factor to females having lower VO² max values.
Hemoglobin levels increase as a result of training. General endurance training programs increase haemoglobin levels 20 percent. Upon commencement of training, oxygen is removed from the cells. The body responds by producing more red blood cells and haemoglobin, allowing more oxygen to be delivered to the cells.
Over the years athletes and sports scientists have explored many ways of improving haemoglobin levels, particularly for endurance athletes. Legal methods such as high iron diets, altitude training and targeted training have proven to be quite successful. Other methods such as blood doping, blood transfusions and drugs such as EPO have put athlete's health and wellbeing at risk and have been made illegal.
Altitude training involves athletes training at higher altitudes than they are accustomed to, as there is a lower amount of oxygen in the air the greater the distance is from sea level. This causes the body to produce more haemoglobin so the body can absorb oxygen more effectively. Similar effects have also been seen by athletes who use tents that limit the supply of oxygen.