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  Background and Aim: Blood donation causes changes in physical and physiological characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of blood donation on the exercise performance and some of hematologic parameters in physically active and non-active women.

  Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 14 active women with history of physical exercises more than 6 months and 16 non-active women, ranging form 20 to 30 years old, were participated voluntarily. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron and exercise performance parameters (including maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic power) were measured 24 hours before, 2 days and 4 weeks after blood donation. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS (version 16) at the significant level of P<0.05.

  Results: Serum hematocrit and hemoglobin in both groups were significantly decreased 2 days and 4 weeks after blood donation (P<0.001 vs the day before donation) and were significantly increased 4 weeks comparing 2 days after blood donation (P<0.001). Maximal oxygen uptake was increased significantly only in non-active women, 4 weeks after donation comparing with 2 day after and the day before donation (P<0.001 for both). Peak anaerobic power was increased significantly only in active women, 4 weeks after compared to the day before donation (P=0.03).

  Conclusion: Although compensation mechanisms for hematocrit and hemoglobin are similar in both active and non-active donors, they are different for maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic peak power and may response independent of hematocrit and hemoglobin levels.