Iron Deficiency in Adolescent Female Athletes—Is Iron Status Affected by Regular Sporting Activity?

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Göran Sandström ◽  
Mats Börjesson ◽  
Stig Rödjer
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Sporting Activity

Iron Status of Highly Active Adolescents: Evidence of Depleted Iron Stores in Gymnasts

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naama W. Constantini ◽  
Alon Eliakim ◽  
Levana Zigel ◽  
Michal Yaaron ◽  
Bareket Falk
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Ferritin Level ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Transferrin Saturation ◽  
Adolescent Athletes ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
Iron Stores

Much attention has focused on the nutrition and hematological profile of female athletes, especially gymnasts. The few studies on iron status of male adolescent athletes found a low incidence of iron deficiency. The present study investigated the iron status of male and female gymnasts (G) and compared it with athletes of other sports. Subjects were 68 elite athletes (43 M, 25 F) ages 12-18, of four sports: gymnasts (11 M, 12 F), swimmers (11 M, 6 F), tennis players (10 M, 4 F), and table tennis players (11 M, 3 F). All lived in the national center for gifted athletes, trained over 25 hr a week, ate in the same dining room, and shared a similar lifestyle. Mean levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell indexes, serum ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin were measured in venous blood. There was no difference in mean Rb among gymnasts (G) and nongymnasts (NG). However, Hb was less than 14 g/dL in 45% of M G vs. only 25% in NG, and less than 13 g/dL in 25% of premenarcheal FG vs. 15% in NG. Low transferrin saturation (< 20%) was detected in 18% of M G and 25% of FG vs. 6% and 8% in male and female NG, respectively (p < .05). The percentage of males suffering from low ferritin level (< 20 ng/ml) was twice as high in G (36%) vs. NG (19%), and about 30% in all females. In summary, iron stores were consistently lower in M G vs. NG. Adolescent athletes of both genders, G in particular, are prone to nonanemic iron deficiency, which might compromise their health and athletic performance.

Reticulocyte and erythrocyte hypochromia markers in detection of iron deficiency in adolescent female athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Malczewska-Lenczowska ◽  
J Orysiak ◽  
B Szczepańska ◽  
D Turowski ◽  
K Burkhard-Jagodzińska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Adolescent Female

scholarly journals Dietary iron deficiency and sports anaemia

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay M. Weight ◽  
Peter Jacobs ◽  
Timothy D. Noakes
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Dietary Iron ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Recommended Dietary Allowances ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
The Mean

In order to determine whether dietary inadequacies can explain the sub-optimal iron status widely documented in endurance-trained athletes, the food intake records of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete distance runners and non-exercising controls of both sexes were analysed. In all the male study groups the mean dietary Fe intake met the recommended dietary allowances (RDA; > 10 mg/d (US) Food and Nutrition Board, 1989). However, both female athletes and controls failed to meet the RDA with regard to Fe (< 15 mg/d) and folate (< 200 μg/d). There was no difference in the total Fe intakes of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete athletes and the controls of each sex. However, Fe-deficient male runners, but not female runners, consumed significantly less haem-Fe (P= 0.048) than their comparative groups. This suggests that the habitual consumption of Fe-poor diets is a factor in the aetiology of athletes' Fe deficiency.

scholarly journals Anemia in Sports: A Narrative Review

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 987
Author(s):  
Marc-Tudor Damian ◽  
Romana Vulturar ◽  
Cristian Cezar Login ◽  
Laura Damian ◽  
Adina Chis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Dietary Restrictions ◽  
Sports Anemia

Recent years have brought about new understandings regarding the pathogenesis of anemia in sports. From hemodilution and redistribution considered to contribute to the so-called “sports anemia” to iron deficiency caused by increased demands, dietary restrictions, decreased absorption, increased losses, hemolysis, and sequestration, to genetic determinants of different types of anemia (some related to sport), the anemia in athletes deserves a careful and multifactorial approach. Dietary factors that reduce iron absorption (e.g., phytate, polyphenols) and that augment iron’s bioavailability (e.g., ascorbic acid) should be considered. Celiac disease, more prevalent in female athletes, may underlie an unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Iron loss during exercise occurs in several ways: sweating, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. From a practical point of view, assessing iron status, especially in the athletes at risk for iron deficiency (females, adolescents, in sports with dietary restrictions, etc.), may improve the iron balance and possibly the performance. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin are measures that are easily employable for the evaluation of patients’ iron status. Cutoff values should probably be further assessed with respect to the sex, age, and type of sport. A healthy gut microbiome influences the iron status. Athletes at risk of iron deficiency should perform non-weight-bearing, low-intensity sports to avoid inducing hemolysis.

Iron status of adolescent female athletes

1985 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert T. Brown ◽  
Susan M. Mcintosh ◽  
Vicki R. Seabolt ◽  
William A. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Adolescent Female

Iron Status and Resting Immune Function in Female Collegiate Swimmers

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Braun ◽  
Michael G. Flynn ◽  
Daniel L. Carl ◽  
Kathy K. Carroll ◽  
Todd Brickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Nk Activity ◽  
Release Assay ◽  
The Relationship

Iron deficiency may lead to anemia and may result in compromised endurance exercise performance. Iron deficiency has also been reported to adversely affect the immune system and has been associated with attenuation of natural killer cell (NK) activity. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between iron status and NK activity in highly conditioned female athletes. Ten collegiate female swimmers (SWM) and 9 inactive females (SED) participated in this investigation. Resting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for serum iron and ferritin. NK activity (% lysis) was determined using a whole blood method (51Cr release assay). No significant relationship was found between iron and NK activity (r = 0.55, p = .09), nor between serum ferritin and NK activity (r = 0.33. p = .35) for SWM. ANOVA revealed significantly greater NK activity for SWM (51.63 ± 15.79%) versus SED (30.34 ± 13.67%). Serum ferritin levels were not significantly different between SWM (20.38±8.62Ƞg · ml−1) and SED (16.79±10.53Ƞg · ml−1), nor were iron values different between groups (16.54 ± 2.17 μmol · L−1 SWM; 11.92 ± 2.61 μmol · L−1 SED). A significant relationship between iron status and resting immune function could not be established. Exercise training may affect NK activity; however, the influence of iron status on immune function requires further evaluation.

scholarly journals Prevalence of iron deficiency among university kendo practitioners in Japan: an observational cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Nabeyama ◽  
Yosuke Suzuki ◽  
Kana Yamamoto ◽  
Michiko Sakane ◽  
Yoichiro Sasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Martial Art ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background Iron deficiency is widely recognized as being the cause of anemia in athletes, although iron status in athletes of Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art based on swordsmanship and practiced as an educational sport, has not been widely investigated. Methods We performed a health assessment on anemia and serum ferritin levels, along with nutrient intake evaluation, for Kendo practitioners in a university in Japan. Results A total of 56 Kendo practitioners (39 male and 17 female) aged between 18 and 23 years participated in the study. No individuals exhibited WHO-defined anemia (less than 13 or 12 g/dL of hemoglobin levels in male or female), while hypoferritinemia (less than 30 ng/mL) was found in seven (41%) females but not in males. Significantly higher body mass index was found in the female athletes with hypoferritinemia compared to females with normo-ferritinemia in sub-analysis (median [interquartile range]; 25.6 [24.2, 26.9] versus 22.6 [21.7, 24.1], respectively. p < 0.05). No significant differences in the intake of iron were registered between males and females (with and without hypoferritinemia) using data from a food-frequency questionnaire survey. Conclusion No apparent anemia was found in adolescent Kendo practitioners, although this study confirmed the presence of hypoferritinemia in several female athletes. Careful follow-up, involving both clinical and nutritional assessment, will be necessary for them to prevent progression into anemia. A future study with larger cohorts in multiple sites is warranted to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency for validation and, if necessary, to devise a strategy for improving the iron status in Kendo athletes.

Professional Female Athletes Are at a Heightened Risk of Iron-Deficient Erythropoiesis Compared With Nonathletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Nenad Ponorac ◽  
Mira Popović ◽  
Dea Karaba-Jakovljević ◽  
Zorislava Bajić ◽  
Aaron Scanlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Training Volume ◽  
Ferritin Concentration ◽  
Weekly Training ◽  
Iron Deficient ◽  
Judo Athletes ◽  
And Performance

This study primarily aimed to quantify and compare iron status in professional female athletes and nonathletes. Furthermore, this study also aimed to identify differences in iron status according to sporting discipline and explore the relationship between ferritin concentration and weekly training volume in professional athletes. A total of 152 participants were included in this study, including 85 athletes who were members of senior teams (handball, n = 24; volleyball, n = 36; soccer, n = 19; and judo, n = 6) involved at the highest level of competition and 67 nonathletes. A significantly greater proportion (p = .05) of athletes (27%) demonstrated iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE) compared with nonathletes (13%). There were nonsignificant differences (p > .05) in the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID; 49% vs. 46%) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 2% vs. 4%) between athletes and nonathletes. Similarly, the prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA was not significantly different between sports (p > .05). Furthermore, training volume was negatively correlated with ferritin concentration in athletes (r: −.464, moderate, p < .001). Professional female athletes are at a heightened risk of IDE compared with nonathletes; therefore, they should be periodically screened for ID to reduce the deleterious effects on training and performance. The similar prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA found across athletes competing in different sports suggests that overlaps exist between handball, volleyball, soccer, and judo athletes regarding risk of disturbance in iron metabolism.

Nutrition and the Physically Active Female

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Emily M. Haymes
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Iron Intake ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Factors Associated

Muscle glycogen is the primary source of energy during high intensity exercise. Increasing the carbohydrate content of the diet allows more glycogen to be stored. Some adolescent female athletes (gymnasts, dancers) do not consume adequate amounts of vitamin B6, folacin, and E. Many women have low dietary intakes of calcium and iron. Low calcium intake and physical inactivity are factors associated with the development of osteoporosis. Low iron intake is associated with the development of iron deficiency and anemia. Low ferritin levels (an index of body iron stores) are commonly observed in female athletes.

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