Iron supplementation and iron status in exercising young women

Abstract

The effect of moderate aerobic exercise training and iron supplementation on iron status was studied in college-age women. Thirteen sedentary women, randomly assigned to a placebo group or an iron treatment group (50 mg iron/day as FeSO 4, exercised at least three days per week at 70–80% of maximal heart rate for 12 weeks. Increases in maximal oxygen consumption in both groups indicated improved cardiovascular fitness. Venous blood samples were obtained for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin determinations at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Analysis of covariance using initial baseline values as the covariate showed that ferritin levels between groups were significantly different ( P < 0.01), suggesting compromised iron stores in association with moderate exercise. Iron supplementation was beneficial in maintaining or improving the iron stores of moderately exercising women.