Effect of long-term training and acute physical exercise on red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate

Summary A statistically significant 10% increase (ps<0.005) in mean red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration, concomitantly with a mean 16% increase (p<0.001) in the predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) was observed in 29 recruits, who were studied during 6 months of physical training in military service. The increase in 2,3-DPG was higher, the lower the initial 2,3-DPG and VO₂ max levels. The mean initial 2,3-DPG level was higher in the subjects with a higher initial VO₂ max. A strenuous but highly aerobic 21-km marching exercise elicited a mean 9% increase (p<0.005) in red cell 2,3-DPG concentration. A significantly greater response of 2,3-DPG to marching exercise was observed in subjects with a lower pre-test VO₂ max than in those with a higher pre-test VO₂ max. During another more competitive march 2,3-DPG remained almost unchanged and was associated with a tendency towards a negative correlation with the accompanying lactate response (r=–0.60, p<0.05). Red cell 2,3-DPG response to a standardized exercise is considered to be a suitable indicator for evaluating the effect of training on an individual.