Author(s)

Issiako Bio Nigan, Polycarpe Gouthon, Mansourou Arèmou, Jean-Marie Falola, Houndjovi Pierre Dansou, Jean Koudouvo Houngbélagnon, Basile Kocou Nouatin, Brigitte Affidéhomè Tonon, Raïmath Yon-Taro Bio Nigan

Laboratory of “PSA and Motricity”, National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Performance (LABIOP), National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
Pediatrics Department of the Regional Hospital of Kouandé, Kouandé, Benin.

The performance in team sports partly depends on the oxygen transport capacity that is also associated with the erythrocyte values, which should be regularly assessed throughout the sports season. This controlled observational study aims at measuring the haematologic modifications induced by the physical load associated with a series of matches in a Benin Division 1 female handball team. It was carried out at Cotonou during the 25th African Handball Winners’ Cup, with 22 female handball players of the Beninese champion team, divided into an experimental group (EG: n = 16) and a control one (CG: n = 6). The red blood cell count (RBC), the rates of Hb (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht), the Wintrobe’s constants and four iron parameters were assessed prior to and after a series of four matches played in six days. At the end of the competition, RBC increased significantly (p < 0.05), but the increases in Hb and Ht were non-significant (p > 0.05). Serum iron, serum transferrin and total iron binding capacity decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The results suggest an improvement in the players’ diet by highly protein enriched foods and erythropoiesis raw materials. They also suggest that the girls may adopt adequate hydric practices, in order to compensate for water losses during matches and training sessions.

Erythrocytes; Iron; Competition; Handball; Tropical Climate

Nigan, I. , Gouthon, P. , Arèmou, M. , Falola, J. , Dansou, H. , Houngbélagnon, J. , Nouatin, B. , Tonon, B. & Nigan, R. (2013). Changes of Selected Haematological Parameters in a Female Team during the 25th African Handball Winners’ Cup Played at Cotonou (Benin). Advances in Physical Education, 3, 43-49. doi: 10.4236/ape.2013.31007.