Abstract

The routine haematological examination of elite runners was completed by serum ferritin and serum transferrin examinations for the investigation of the frequently observed iron deficiency in elite athletes. The participating 20 male and 10 female runners performed an intense training on the track before and after which serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and serum transferrin were detected again. After the intense physical training the serum iron concentration was unchanged, the total iron binding capacity increased significantly in both groups. The concentration of transferrin increased after training. Serum ferritin determination was exclusively appropriate to reveal prelatent iron deficiency in one third of men and in the half of women. Correlation was not found between hematological parameters and body mass index in the studied group. The literature on the subject and the modern contemplation of iron deficiency in athletes is surveyed in the study. Verf.-Referat