Effects of training on indices of iron status of young female cross-country runners

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Abstract
Hematological status and selected indices of iron status were assessed in a group of 8 high-school female cross-country runners at wk 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 of the competitive season and at 1, 5, and 11 wk after the season. Over the season, a training effect occurred, as was shown by a significant decrease (12.8%) in step-test heart rate and a significant increase (7.0%) in .ovrhdot.VO2 max [maximum O2 uptake] (ml .cntdot. min-1 .cntdot. kg-1). The runners experienced sports anemia in that their hemoglobin Hb concentration and packed red blood cell volume (PCV) declined significantly during the 1st wk of training (8.8 and 8.3%, respectively); changes did not occur in a comparison group of 11 nonrunners who were followed for the first 3 wk of the season. Between wk 1 and 8 of the season, the runners'' Hb and PCV values gradually returned toward preseason values while their serum iron (SeFe) and percent transferrin saturation (% Sat) showed steady, but nonsignificant, declines and their total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) rose by 9.4% and continued to rise throught the 1st wk after the season. Concomitantly, the runners'' free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) concentrations rose by 15%. By the end of the detraining period, all indices of iron status had returned to initial values except for TIBC, which still was significantly higher than preseason values. With the exception of TIBC, no significant changes occurred in the iron-status indices of the comparison group during the 2 wk they were followed sports anemia may impose a demand on body iron reserves. It would be prudent to assess iron status and hematological status in such women before and during aerobic training.

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