Sickle cell trait and safe athletic participation: The way forward

摘要

Sickle cell trait (SCT) has garnered much attention for its association with extremely rare exertion-related events in athletes and soldiers. Recent Current Sports Medicine Reports Pearls and Pitfalls columns by Dr. E. Randy Eichner criticized the Army and the American Society of Hematol-ogy (ASH) for their approach to SCT testing and athletics (1,2). Contrary to his assertions, we actually agree that overexertion and "heroic intensity" can be problematic, especially in preseason sports training and new onset military training. We agree that heat and dehydration can contribute to, but are not necessarily required for, an exercise-associated collapse. We additionally agree that when precautions are not properly implemented, a catastrophic collapse may ensue.