Characteristics of blood morphological and biochemical indicators in men performing various physical activity in cold - preliminary report

Background: The study determined whether winter swimming (WS) and running (RUN) affected blood morphological and biochemical indicators in men in the winter swimming mid-season. Methods: There were 3 groups of participants, 10 amateur males each: running + winter swimming (RUN + WS), WS, and control. The blood morphological and biochemical indicators were measured in all groups after adaptation to cold in winter. Results: In the RUN + WS group compared with WS, a significant decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration by 102.12% (within standard limits) and in platelet distribution width by 303.14% was observed, with a significant increase in red blood cell distribution width by 84.54% (within standard limits). Renal function expressed by estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher in the RUN + WS group by 91.11% (within standard limits) compared with WS and uric acid concentration was reduced by 124.9%. In the RUN + WS group compared with control, a significant decrease in leukocyte count by 150.12% (within standard limits), in monocyte count by 121.95% (within standard limits), and in platelet distribution width by 288.22% was reported. The remaining indicators presented p  > 0.05. Conclusions: The investigated forms of physical activity had no negative effect on blood morphological or biochemical indicators in male amateurs in the winter swimming mid-season.