Abstract

Iron deficiency has been shown to be quite prevalent in athletes. The availability of iron should be important to all athletes but especially so in swimming where oxygen is limited. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether training had an effect on iron status of young swimmers and whether iron supplementation could offset any possible deterioration in iron status. Twenty young female swimmers served as subjects, ten each in a placebo and experimental group (150 mg/Fe/day). A control group of ten non-athletes was used for comparison purposes. Blood was taken pre and post training (12 weeks) and was analysed for hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation. The changes that occurred between the placebo group and experimental group were considerable. Red blood cell count increased significantly post training in the experimental group (p < 0.05) as did hemoglobin (p < 0.05). In the placebo group serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation all decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore there was a significantly greater number of athletes in the placebo group who were diagnosed as being iron deficient (p < 0.05). Both the placebo and experimental groups increased their VO2max but the increase was greater in the experimental (> 30) than in the placebo groups (19.6: p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). The results of this study would suggest that young female swimmers may need to undertake a course of iron supplementation as part of their normal training regime. This should be done in consultation with a medical practitioner or sports scientist familiar with the athletes situation. We do feel however that iron status should be routinely monitored. Verf.-Referat