Exercise and sport

Exercising or doing sport does not prevent blood donation, but there are a couple of things to consider regarding exercise as you plan the timing of your donation.

During blood donation approximately half a litre of blood is lost and this will affect your fluid balance for a short while.

On the other hand, the decrease in hemoglobin levels will affect your performance in strenuous exercise and physical endurance, both short and long term. You can do normal exercise the day after your donation. Returning to strenuous exercise or goal-directed personal best performance may, however, take around one month from blood donation.

To ensure the proper recovery of your fluid balance you cannot do strenuous exercise or sport that causes sweating or requires straining of the donation arm on the day of your donation. To make sure that your fluid balance is as optimal as possible, do not come to donate straight after very strenuous exercise.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).