Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and total blood volume (BV) determine the oxygen content
in the blood. Varying anthropometric values are used to standardize blood volume and
Hbmass. The aim of this study was to create normal values and to evaluate an anthropometric
reference for Hbmass and BV. One hundred healthy young subjects participated in this
study (50 women: 20.9±2.0 yr; 50 men: 23.2±2.9 yr). The Hbmass was measured twice
by using a CO rebreathing method. The BV was calculated from the Hbmass, Hb concentration
and hematocrit values. The lean body mass (LBM) was measured by a bio-impedance analysis.
Women had a significant lower Hbmass per kg LBM compared with that of men (13.6±1.3 g
vs. 16.1±1.7 g; p<0.0001). The BV per kg LBM tended to be lower in women than in men
(105.3±8.4 ml vs. 108.7±9.0 ml; p=0.0548). LBM had the best correlation with Hbmass
(r=0.9274) and BV (0.9233) when considering the entire study group. Normal values
of Hbmass and BV could be potentially useful for fluid management and contribute to
the diagnosis of blood disorders. For normalization and assessment of measured BV
and Hbmass, lean body mass should be prioritized in future studies instead of body
weight or body surface area.
Key words
CO method - hematological values - lean body mass - percentiles - endurance performance