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Cited by 69Iron Metabolism and DisordersSports Performance and TrainingCardiovascular and exercise physiology

Iron status is associated with endurance performance and training in female rowers

DELLAVALLE, DIANE M., HAAS, JERE D.·2012·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
DOI 10.1249/mss.0b013e3182517ceb
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Abstract

PURPOSE: Studies in animals and humans show a link between iron depletion without anemia (IDNA) and physical performance. Consequences of IDNA relevant to athletes include reduced endurance and energetic efficiency. We conducted this cross-sectional study to investigate the relationships between iron status, performance, and training in nonanemic female rowers. METHODS: Iron status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor) of 165 rowers was assessed at the beginning of a training season; 27% (n = 44) of rowers were identified as IDNA (serum ferritin < 20.0 μg·L) and 10% as anemic (n = 16, hemoglobin < 12.0 g·dL). Physical performance of 48 nonanemic rowers (n = 24 normal, n = 24 depleted) was assessed (V˙O(2peak), 4-km time, gross energetic efficiency), and training was recorded. Daily training load was calculated using the session RPE method (training duration × intensity rating). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups of iron status in any of the potential confounders of the association between iron status and performance that were tested. Compared with rowers with normal iron status, rowers with depleted iron trained ∼10 min less per day (P = 0.02) and had a 0.3-L·min lower V˙O(2peak) (P = 0.03). Both serum ferritin and training group (high vs low based on a session RPE of 3200) were positively related to V˙O(2peak). Less highly trained rowers with poor iron status had a lower V˙O(2peak) (-0.32 L·min, P = 0.02) and were less energetically efficient (-1.7%, P = 0.09) compared with more highly trained rowers with poor iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired iron status is a prevalent problem among female endurance athletes. The relationship between rowers' iron status and endurance performance varied depending on training load. IDNA may prevent rowers from training as hard, directly affecting their performance.

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  • Iron deficiency is commonly observed in athletes, especially among endurance and female athletes, where the prevalence of iron depletion is up to 50%.

    “Iron deficiency is commonly observed in athletes, especially among endurance and female athletes, where the prevalence of iron depletion is up to 50%”

    From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [249]

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Authors
DELLAVALLE, D. M., & HAAS, J. D.
Affiliations
Cornell University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2012-08
Volume
44
Issue
8
Pages
1552-1559
ISSN
0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1249/mss.0b013e3182517ceb
OpenAlex
W2044136931
Cited by
69
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Keywords
iron status, iron deficiency without anemia, female rowers, endurance performance, training load, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, peak oxygen uptake, female endurance athletes, session rating of perceived exertion
MeSH terms
Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Ferritins, Hemoglobins, Humans, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Receptors, Transferrin, Sports, Young Adult

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