A multi‐parametric approach to remove the influence of plasma volume on the athlete biological passport during a Union Cycliste Internationale cycling stage race. Issue 9 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garvican‐Lewis, Laura A.; Lobigs, Louisa M.; Equey, Tristan; Goebel, Catrin; Agon, Vanessa; McCowan, Andrew; Speers, Naomi; Schumacher, Yorck O.
• Is Part Of: Drug testing and analysis. Volume 12:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 1252
• Page End: 1263
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: adaptive model -- blood doping -- blood volume -- endurance exercise; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drug testing -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; 615.1901
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.2878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-7603

Abstract

Abstract: Fluctuations in plasma volume (PV) present potential confounders within the concentration‐based markers of the haematological athlete biological passport (ABP). Here, a multi‐parametric approach involving a simple blood test is applied to the current ABP adaptive model in an attempt to remove the influence of PV expansion, induced by a cycling stage race. Blood samples were obtained from 29 professional cyclists (14 male, 15 female) before, during and after 4–5 consecutive days of racing. Whole blood was analysed in accordance with the World Anti‐Doping Agency ABP guidelines for haemoglobin ([Hb]) concentration and platelets. Serum and plasma were analysed for transferrin, albumin, calcium, creatinine, total protein and low‐density lipoprotein. PV variation ( Z ‐scores) was estimated using a multi‐parametric model (consisting of the biomarkers mentioned earlier) and compared against calculated variations in PV (measured via CO‐rebreathing). Significant reductions in [Hb] and the OFF‐score were observed in female cyclists after 3 and 4 days of racing, with accompanying increases in PV, which returned to baseline values 4 days post competition. Similarly, a significant increase in PV was observed in male cyclists after 3 and 5 days of racing. When individual estimations of PV variance were applied to the adaptive model, the upper and lower reference predictions for [Hb] and the OFF‐score were refined such that all outliers consistent with racing‐induced PV changes were removed. The PV model appears capable of reducing the influence of PV on concentration‐dependent markers during competition. This is an important step towards the inclusion of the PV correction in the ABP haematological module. Abstract : Fluctuations in plasma volume (PV) present potential confounders within the athlete biological passport (ABP). Here, a multi‐parametric approach involving a simple blood test is applied to the ABP adaptive model in an attempt to remove the influence of PV expansion, induced by a cycling stage race. When individual calculations of PV were applied to the ABP, the upper and lower reference predictions for [Hb] and the OFF‐score were refined, and all outliers consistent with racing‐induced PV changes were removed.