Plasma iron status in elite weightlifters after four weeks of intensive training

Abstract

Summary With or without anemia, iron deficiency, is a common disorder among athletes and it can decrease both physical and mental performances. Actually, no previous study has investigated the effects of weightlifting training on iron status responses. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of four weeks of intensive training on plasma iron status of elite weightlifters. Sixteen participants (a group of eight men and a group of eight women) from the elite Tunisian team took part in the present study. Blood levels of some hematological, iron, anemia and inflammation parameters were assessed before (pre) and after four weeks (Post) of intensive training during a precompetitive phase. For both groups, ferritin concentrations and plasma Creatine kinase activity increased significantly at post-compared to pre-training (P