Anemia in Runners and Other Athletes.

In brief: The author explores the possibility of a "sports anemia," its possible causes, and its effects on an athlete's performance. He says the diagnosis of sports anemia requires no treatment and is based on the history of athletic participation and the exclusion of other forms of anemia such as folate or B(12) deficiency, thalassemia, and chronic disease. He believes that the borderline anemic state may be an adaptive response to maximize oxygen transport.