Red blood cell variables, their inter-correlations and correlations with body mass components in boys aged 10-17 years

Abstract

Objective of this study was to analyze the hematological parameters, their inter-correlation and their correlation with body composition components in young male adolescent subjects.One hundred and ninety (190) physically active male subjects, aged 10 to 17 years, mean age 13.37 4.5 years, were included in the study. Capillary blood was taken from all subjects and the following hematological parameters were measured: red blood cell count (RBC); hematocrit (Ht); hemoglobin mass (Hb) and hematological indices (MCV,MCH, MCHC).The body components derived from Matiegka anthropometric method were assessed: muscular mass (MM%), bone mass (BM%), body fat mass (BF%). The mean values (SD) for hematological parameters were RBC= 5.070.41 x 1012/l,Hb=14.241.24 g/dl, Hct=43.833.8%. Anthropometric characteristics were as follows: BMI was 20.26 3.27 kg /m2, relative muscular mass (MM%) was 53.18 3.19 %, bone mass (BM%) was 18.83 2.4% and body fat percent (BF%) was 15.19 2.64 %. Correlation’s analysis between hematological parameters and body composition showed moderate to strong correlation between RBC, Hb and Hctand all body components. The strongest correlations were found between Hb and Hct and the muscular mass (r= 0.60; r= 0.61) and the lean body mass (r= 0.59).The hematological parameters are positively associated with all body mass components, while the strongest correlations were found between hemoglobin levels and hematocrit and skeletal muscle mass and lean body mass. The knowing and understanding of the relationship between RBC variables and body composition parameters could be important in healthcare planning for children.