Blood, sweat, and fears: Athletes' perceptions of blood donation and engagement in physical activity

• DOI: 10.1111/trf.17607
• Publication Date: 2023-11-28T00:39:13Z
• Authors: Barbara Masser; Hugo Webster; Rachel Thorpe; Kyle Jensen
• Keywords: Athletes; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Blood Donors; Fear; Blood Donation; Sweat; Tissue Donors

Abstract Background Athletes are a key group from which likely eligible donors could be sourced. While blood donation has been popularized as detrimental to athletic performance, little is known about how athletes perceive donation. The aim of this study was investigate athletes' perceptions the impacts donating on their performance and whether these influence engagement with Study Design Methods A total 175 (78 donors; 97 non‐donors) prescreened donate in Australia completed an online survey assessing perceived impact (i) physical activity (type impact, direction, duration) (ii) engaging (magnitude modification behavior). Results We found that 37%–39% our sample indicated they had considered or activity, seen negative but short term. Fatigue most commonly identified activity. did not account for non‐donor status, many noted changing pre‐ post‐donation allow recovery, aligning training schedule. Discussion community sourced, however significant proportion will negatively performance. Strategies engage should acknowledge facilitate need align donating.