Donating Blood and poor performance the next day...................?

[Times Roman]

Anyone else experience this? I left the gym monday and walked over to the blood bank where I donate blood. Next day is leg day. I'm in the saddle, and warming up leg pressing. ten reps of 100lbs and my quads feel a little "crampy" like I'm not properly hydrated. ten reps at 200 lbs and same thing. I keep going up and by about 500 lbs, it's not getting better, but worse. So I stop there, and jump on leg extensions, which didn't seem to go too well, then leg curls. I was doing drop sets, and repped well on the heavy end. came down some weight for the next set, and half way through, felt something tear in the back of my left leg. Nothing too painful. Now I'm back on the TB, cursing myself thinking that maybe I hadn't hyrdrated enough after giving blood?

Anyone else get any of these symptoms after donating blood? or is it just me? or just a coincidence?

[wh1spa]

Cant comment im sorry, I haven't been able to donate blood for over 3 years due to tattoos, unfortunately.

[austinite]

Interesting. I donated just before I started my cycle, but did not notice any lack or performance immediately after.

[Times Roman]

Interesting. I donated just before I started my cycle, but did not notice any lack or performance immediately after.

I'm mid cycle, and already drinking diet tonic water to help alleviate cramping. I'm now thinking donating blood may have dehydrated me?

[wh1spa]

I'm mid cycle, and already drinking diet tonic water to help alleviate cramping. I'm now thinking donating blood may have dehydrated me?

Could you possibly add Taurine at 2-4mg per day to assist with cramping?

[austinite]

I'm mid cycle, and already drinking diet tonic water to help alleviate cramping. I'm now thinking donating blood may have dehydrated me?

Not sure. I wonder what your RBC is. You'll replenish the blood in less than 24 hours. RBC's in a month or so. But of mid cycle you were probably already somewhat high. Low RBC had me buckle in the gym before.

I'd supplement iron either way.

Most places will tell you that you should wait 5 hours after donating to work out. Somehow I don't think this is related to the donation.

[Nicotine]

Lower blood volume, less hemoglobin in your body, less oxygen carried in the body.

Voila.

That's why EPO works. More RBC. More oxygen.

[Far from massive]

This happens to me also just not quite as bad, that is I notice a loss of endurance/strength but have not yet suffered an injury because of it. Your thoughts on hydration playing a part makes perfect sense, as I am sure this would only make it worse.

If you read on donating blood they suggest no strenuous activity for 24-48 hrs till the body has had a chance to replace the missing blood volume. Because of this I always am careful working out after dumping blood and do not do it the day before legs.

[Times Roman]

Not sure. I wonder what your RBC is. You'll replenish the blood in less than 24 hours. RBC's in a month or so. But of mid cycle you were probably already somewhat high. Low RBC had me buckle in the gym before.

I'd supplement iron either way.

Most places will tell you that you should wait 5 hours after donating to work out. Somehow I don't think this is related to the donation.

my RBC is three points beyond the upper limit. my iron is very good, according to the blood test I took prior to donating.

I think next time I won't be "dumb" and just wait. I hit legs hard the very next day and seemed to pay the price.

[calgarian]

I'm mid cycle, and already drinking diet tonic water to help alleviate cramping. I'm now thinking donating blood may have dehydrated me?

it did to me a long time ago. so i agree with you.

[zasko7]

The last time I had bood drawn from me, i had a pretty weak day at the gym. I think there is less oxygen going through the body with the temporary decrease in blood at the time of working out.

[zasko7]

Its way better just to wait rather than picking up an injury