Skeletal muscle iron overload is known to increase oxidative injury and impair contractile function. However, the impact of a moderate, physiologically‐relevant degree of muscle iron loading on contractile function has not been investigated. Thus, this study examined effects of moderate iron loading on skeletal muscle function and oxidative injury induced by subcutaneous injections of iron dextran. Young‐adult male mice received injections of iron dextran (4 mg iron/200μL) or vehicle (dextrose) 5 days per week for a period of two weeks (n=10/group). One day following the last injection the soleus muscle was harvested to assess levels of non‐heme iron (NHI), oxidative injury, and contractile properties. Liver and soleus NHI was approximately 4‐fold greater in mice that received injections of iron compared to vehicle (p<0.05). No difference in animal body mass or soleus muscle mass was observed (p>0.05). Maximal specific tension of the soleus was lower among iron loaded animals (22.4±0.1 N/cm2) compared to controls (26.2±0.9 N/cm2; p<0.05). However, soleus lipid peroxidation (4‐hydroxynoneal) and protein oxidation (protein carbonyls) levels were not different between the groups (p>0.05). In summary, a moderate elevation in muscle iron reduced contractile function by a mechanism that does not appear to involve oxidative stress. Additional experiments are being conducted to reveal a possible mechanism behind the iron‐mediated reduction in muscle force production.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Syracuse University SOE