Being a Carrier of the Sickle Cell Trait, Although Generally

question 24

Essay

Being a carrier of the sickle cell trait, although generally not a serious problem, can pose significant risks for athletes, particularly those in intense training regimens. The death of Florida State University linebacker Devaughn Darling, a carrier of the sickle cell trait, in a spring conditioning drill refocused attention on sickle cell abnormalities, including both sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait (carriers). High altitude, aggressive exercise, and high temperatures can all lead to acute rhabdomyolysis in individuals with sickle cell trait. Why do you think an individual who is a carrier of the sickle cell trait may be more likely to experience the symptoms of SCD during rigorous exercise?

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Definitions:

Test Statistic

A calculated value used in a statistical test to decide whether to support or reject the null hypothesis.

One-sample T Test

A statistical test used to compare the mean of a single sample to a known mean or expected value, to see if there is a significant difference.

Normal Population

A population with a distribution that follows the normal (Gaussian) curve, where most measurements are centered around the mean.

Sample Mean

The average value calculated from a sample of data, often used as an estimate of the population mean.