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As cardiovascular athletes, we like red blood cells. We all know that the hard working red-blood cells help deliver oxygen to our working muscles during exercise. So how much performance loss can I expect if I donate blood at the local blood bank? How long will I notice decreased aerobic power? This fear has always stopped me from donating in the past and I just want to survey others to see if my fears are valid.
Thanks,
Dave from VA
Drop the fear
Save a life
donate the pint.
Going into the winter months, you can afford to give a pint. Think about how good it would feel to save a life...
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Animal!!!
Yes it is a good idea - but dont ride your bike 6 hours after (really anything but ESPECIALLY ride your bike as crashing at 30mph when you pass out is never fun).
Dont give 3 or so weeks before a big race.
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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?
Very true, and also hydrate.... A LOT. Most of the volume that you lose is plasma (mostly water). The more you drink, the faster you'll be back in the game, but on average, it takes about 8 weeks to FULLY replace the red blood cells. I wonder if it's faster for athletes???
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Animal!!!
You could also donate platelets, which you can do much more often than whole blood (which implies that the body recovers more rapidly than from donating whole blood). Dunno about the effects of either from a performance standpoint, but I agree with sentiments from other posters that you'll most likely be glad you did it, if you do.
After giving blood it takes me 2 weeks untill I feel really strong again. The off season would be the best time for it too. Save a life and ease into you training again.
jaretj
I donate blood regularly. If my donation time falls in the week before a race I'll delay it otherwise I don't bother.
I can't train as hard for the next 24 hours but seem to be back to full training level within a couple of days.
dt.