作者
Stacy T Sims, Kelsi Mackay, Alana Leabeater, Anthea Clarke, Katherine Schofield, Matthew Driller
发表日期
2022/12/10
期刊
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
卷号
19
期号
24
页码范围
16606
出版商
MDPI
简介
Background
While iron deficiency is commonly discussed in populations of professional female athletes, less is known about highly trained, sub-elite female athletes (e.g., those winning international age-group competitions) who generally have less access to medical and allied health support.
Methods
Thirteen non-professional highly trained female endurance athletes provided training diaries and completed a blood test, where iron markers of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), C-reactive protein (Crp), serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin were assessed. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were also obtained. Participants were classified as iron deficient (ID) if serum ferritin was <30 ug/L serum ferritin.
Results
Six of the 13 females were classified as ID. Serum iron, ferritin, Hb, Hct, and ferrin were greater in the ID group (p < 0.05). Crp resulted in large to very large correlations with serum iron (r = −0.72), serum ferritin (r = −0.66), and transferrin (r = 0.70).
Conclusions
In this population of highly trained female athletes, 46% were diagnosed with sub-optimal iron levels, which could have lasting health effects and impair athletic performance. The need for more education and support in non-professional athletes regarding iron deficiency is strongly advised.
引用总数
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ST Sims, K Mackay, A Leabeater, A Clarke, K Schofield… - International Journal of Environmental Research and …, 2022