Abstract
Background
Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most important metabolic dysfunctions. Athletic
performance depends on oxygen transport and mitochondrial efficiency, thus on optimal
iron balance. We hypothesised that physical extremes result in ID in elite athletes
and that the short recovery period may be insufficient to allow a lasting replenishment
of iron reserves.
Methods
Iron metabolism was examined in 20 elite rowing athletes and 10 professional soccer
players at the end of a competitive season, after recuperation and during pre-season
training. Absolute ID values were defined as ferritin <30 μg/L, functional ID as ferritin 30–99 μg/L or 100–299 μg/L+transferrin saturation <20%.
Results
At the end of season, 27% of all athletes had absolute ID and 70% showed functional
ID. Absolute iron depletion was not generally restored after recuperation and observed
at all time points in 14% of the athletes. Although athletes with initially low ferritin
levels showed a slight increase during recuperation (p<0.09), these increases remained within borderline levels. Furthermore, 10% showed
borderline haemoglobin levels, suggestive of mild anaemia, as defined by the World
Health Organisation.
Conclusion
A significant proportion of professional athletes have ID, independent of the training
mode. Although recuperation seems to allow a certain recovery of iron storage, particularly
in athletes with initially low ferritin levels, this retrieval was insufficient to
fully normalise reduced iron levels. Therefore, iron status should be carefully monitored
during the various training and competitive periods in elite athletes. An adequate
iron supplementation may be needed to maintain balanced iron stores.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 10, 2010
Accepted:
October 31,
2010
Received in revised form:
September 30,
2010
Received:
July 9,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
