Abstract
Background and AimsExercise-induced iron deficiency is a common finding in endurance athletes. It has been suggested recently that hepcidin may be an important mediator in this process.ObjectiveTo determine hepcidin levels and markers of iron status during long-term exercise training in female runners with depleted and normal iron stores.MethodsFourteen runners were divided into two groups according to iron status. Blood samples were taken during a period of eight weeks at baseline, after training and after ten days’ recovery phase.ResultsOf 14 runners, 7 were iron deficient at baseline and 10 after training. Hepcidin was lower at recovery compared with baseline (p<0.05). The mean cell haemoglobin content, haemoglobin content per reticulocyte and total iron binding capacity all decreased, whereas soluble transferrin receptor and hypochromic red cells increased after training and recovery (p<0.05 for all).ConclusionThe prevalence of depleted iron stores was 71% at the end of the training phase. Hepcidin and iron stores decreased during long-term running training and did not recover after ten days, regardless of baseline iron status.
Highlights
Athletes, females and adolescents, are at increased risk of depleting their iron stores to the stage of functional or absolute iron deficiency (ID)
Hepcidin and iron stores decreased during long-term running training and did not recover after ten days, regardless of baseline iron status
We did not observe any significant differences in body composition between baseline and recovery
Summary
Females and adolescents, are at increased risk of depleting their iron stores to the stage of functional or absolute iron deficiency (ID). Sideropenic anaemia may eventually develop [1].The prevalence of ID in adolescent and adult females competing in a variety of sports was reported to range from 25% to 36% [2,3]. During the season this can change significantly and ranges from 14% to 70% [4]. The serum concentration of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and the ratio of sTfR to serum ferritin (sTfR-F index) have been suggested as more sensitive indicators of functional ID or tissue iron depletion over serum ferritin alone [2,6]. It has been suggested recently that hepcidin may be an important mediator in this process
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