Hematocrit (%) and total Hbmass (g/kg). Measures were made in moderately trained young males (Danish, commuting to work/school on bicycle and engaged in easy aerobic training 1-3 times per week); in trained runners (French, all finishers of the “Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc,” 166 km of mountain trail running with 9500 m of altitude gain); in national level cyclists (Danish, American, Canadian); and in national team cross-country skiers (German, Swedish, and French), including several Olympic and World Championship medalists. The figure illustrates that elite athletes may have similar hematocrit values compared with healthy persons, but that Hbmass is increased. *P < .001 versus moderately trained persons. The data were collected by C.L., Paul Robach, and Bengt Saltin between 2005 and 2011 in a joint effort.
