Donating Blood During Your Season
The American Red Cross recommends that blood donors do not participate in strenuous activity for a period of time following the donation. Naturally, as athletes, this may interfere with practices and games, but that doesn't mean you can’t donate.
Here are some important things you should know about donating blood and some steps to take to ensure that if you decide to donate during your sports season, you do it in a positive and healthy manner.
Talk to your coach about your interest and the importance of making a difference through blood donation.
Try to plan your donation around practice and games. Be sure to inform your coach if you decide to donate, as you will be unable to practice/play that day.
After blood donation, student athletes should wait about 12 hours or more before resuming strenuous exercise, depending on how they feel.
You temporarily lose fluid after donation which your body replaces within 24 hours or sooner if you drink extra fluids.
As a precaution, do not donate blood on the same day of a competition or strenuous practice.
Your body replaces the red blood cells (the cells that deliver oxygen to muscles and tissues) within about two to four weeks, depending on nutrition and iron status.
High-performance competitive athletes may notice a marginal decrease in exercise tolerance for about one week after donation.