Relationship between Electrolyte Balance and Hemorheological Characteristics in Athletes

The relationships between some parameters of electrolyte balance and blood rheological characteristics are studied in healthy young subjects and athletes. In the total group of subjects (n = 41), the viscosity of whole blood is positively correlated with the sodium ion concentration and negatively correlated with the inorganic phosphorus concentration. The blood concentration of inorganic phosphorus is increased in the athletes and is positively correlated with deformability of erythrocytes and negatively with their aggregability. The serum concentration of potassium ions is related, via its relationship with MCV, to erythrocyte deformability. In the athletes (n = 27), the erythrocyte deformability is decreased and the blood concentrations of iron and magnesium are increased. It is conceivable that the state of electrolyte balance in healthy young humans is related to their blood rheology.