Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2008

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the iron status of female collegiate athletes of various sports over the course of their competitive season. The hypothesis of this study is that a significant percentage of female collegiate athletes do not consume adequate amounts of iron in relation to match demand thus, resulting in suboptimal iron concentrations during their competitive season.

Methods: 48 participants (18 cross country, 12 volleyball, 8 soccer, and 10 control subjects) were evaluated for iron status on three separate occasions during their competitive season, prior to season start (baseline), mid-season, and at post-season. Three days prior to each visit, participants completed a 3-day dietary record. At each visit, blood samples were obtained and analyzed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation were evaluated. Participants were categorized as iron deficient if they presented with a SF < 15 ng/ml. They were classified with iron deficient anemia if hemoglobin values were less than 12 g/dl.

Results: Average iron intakes by the athletic teams were consistent and adequate throughout their competitive season, ranging from 18.3-23.3 mg/day. The x-country group had a higher iron intake than the control group, but it was not significantly different from the soccer or volleyball group. There was no difference in iron intake among soccer, volleyball and control groups. Of the 48 participants in the study 22 were considered iron deficient at baseline; 4 controls, 5 soccer, 3 volleyball, and 10 x-country. At mid-season the number of volleyball players who were iron deficient increased to 6 and by post-season there were 9 volleyball players who were iron deficient. The number of iron deficient individuals in the other groups remained the same through out the duration of the study. Of those individuals considered iron deficient at baseline only 2 controls had Hgb <12 g/dL and were thus considered to have iron deficient anemia, at mid-season, 6 controls, 3 soccer, 6 volleyball, and 8 x-country were deemed iron deficient anemic, and by post-season, 2 controls, 1 soccer, 3 volleyball, and 2 x-country participants were classified with iron deficient anemia.

Conclusion: The data from this study indicates that female collegiate athletes who consume sufficient amounts of iron have a high prevalence of iron deficiency, which reportedly increases over the course of the season, especially in athletes who participate in the sport of volleyball. Based on the results of this study and others, the deficiency observed in the athletes does not appear to be related to dietary factors, menstruation, injury, GI bleeding, or sweat loss. It is proposed that the decrement in iron status experienced by athletes is most likely due to foot strike anemia or athletes require a higher intake than the RDA recommends for non-active healthy individuals.

Key Words: serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron status, iron deficiency, collegiate athletes, females.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Iron in the body

Women athletes -- Nutrition

College athletes -- Nutrition

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

69

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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