Sports Anemia Research Articles

PREVENTION OF MICROELEMENTS DEFICIENCY IN THE BODY OF SWIMMERS

Introduction. As you know, trace elements play an important role in the life of every living cell. Deficiency of trace elements or their unbalanced ratio in food can lead to profound metabolic disorders and cause the development of a number of diseases, including "sports anemia". The content of trace elements in the blood depends on the nature of muscle activity, its volume, intensity and fitness of the body. Under the influence of systematic training, in parallel with the growth of muscles and their need for oxygen, the content of iron, copper, and manganese in the blood cells increases. At the same time, the physical performance of athletes also increases. In the practice of sports, there are very few clear recommendations for the consumption of microelements with food for athletes of various qualifications, age and gender. It is possible to say exactly how much alimentary iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) is necessary to satisfy the body's need for microelements only after studying the balance of microelements in the body of athletes, which is the most relevant today. The purpose of this study was to study the daily balance of microelements in the body of swimmers of high qualification categories. Research methods. The elemental profile of the organism of the examined contingent was established on the basis of urine analysis (morning, middle portion collected in a special container). The analysis was carried out by inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on a Nexion 300D + NWR213 device (PerkinElmer, USA), as well as the effectiveness of prescribed drugs was assessed by indicators of capillary blood. Hemoglobin and serum iron were determined using the appropriate standard kits, hematocrit and erythrocytes were determined using conventional methods. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using Microsoft Excel XP software packages (MicosoftCorp., USA) and Statistica 6.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results. In our studies, it was found that the total loss of iron in most cases significantly exceeded the intake of iron with food. During the period of active rest, the absorption of iron from food increased. In most cases, his balance was positive. Through the correct selection of foods rich in trace elements, you can try to influence the balance of trace elements in the body. Conclusion. Thus, the complexes we offer to a greater or lesser extent have a positive effect on a number of important indicators, and are recommended for the prevention of anemia and, also, are highly effective and, therefore, very promising products for improving physical performance.

Sports Nutrition in Japan: from the Past to the Future.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics finished on 5 November 2021. A total of 870,000 meals were provided in the main dining facility during the events. Sports nutrition research in Japan began before the previous Tokyo Olympics, which was held in 1964. A book about sports nutrition in Japan had already been published, in 1949. A number of previous studies have examined nutrition among Olympic athletes, and influential research on sports nutrition in Japan includes a series of studies on sports anemia. This series covered basic research into the mechanisms of sports anemia through to the prevention of sports anemia. However, anemia among athletes remains an important issue. In Japan, an accreditation system for sports dietitians was established in 2007, and a scientific association for sports nutrition was established in 2004. However, the connection between basic research and practice remains a substantial problem.

An Entity called Sports Anemia, does it really exist or is a misnomer: A Systematic review of existing literature

An Entity called Sports Anemia, does it really exist or is a misnomer: A Systematic review of existing literature

The Correlation between Hemoglobin Levels and Physical Fitness in Teenage Taekwondo Athletes

Background:Taekwondo is a sport which focused on endurance and strengths. In a taekwondo competition, an athlete with low level of physical fitness can cause fatigue due to decreased concentration in athletes during the match and will affectthe athlete’s performance. One of factor which affect the physical fitness of athletes is hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin levels in athletes will inflict sports anemia because of lacking of oxygen binding ability and will interfere the oxygen transportation in every part of the cells inside the body.Objective: this study analyze the correlation between hemoglobin levels with physical fitness in teenage taekwondo athletes.Material and Methods: the study was used cross sectional design. The total of samples were 61 respondents and samples randomly selected. The data had collected which hemoglobin levels use cynameth blood test and physical fitness data using MFT (multistage fitness test) running test. Data analysis conducted by using bivariateanalysislike Spearman rank correlation test.Result and Discussion: the result has showed, there is a correlation between hemoglobin levels and physical fitness in taekwondo athletes for teenagers (p=00,27). The r value is 0,431 meansindicatethe strengthofcorrelationbetweenvariablesispositive.Conclusion: there is a correlation between hemoglobin levels and physical fitness in teenage taekwondo athletes.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 06 No. 02 April’22 Page: 204-207

Medical perspectives on pediatric sports medicine–Selective topics

Selective medical perspectives of pediatric sports medicine are explored in this issue and behavioral perspectives of pediatric sports medicine are discussed in a subsequent journal issue. Concepts are considered now dealing with sports readiness involving the child and adolescent that involve understanding the limits imposed by growth and development at different ages as well as pubertal stages. Specializing in one sport too soon is not recommended. Sports readiness also involves understanding and counseling about proper diet and nutrition for maximum sports activity as well as overall health benefits.As clinicians understand sports readiness they can provide a beneficial pre-participation sports examination and deal with qualifications for sports play. Various medical conditions arise in dealing with pediatric persons involved in sports and these are considered in this discussion. They include the female athlete triad, iron deficiency anemia, sports anemia, musculoskeletal overuse injuries, obesity, sudden cardiac death, return to learning after sports-related concussion, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorders, genitourinary disorders and dermatology disorders in sports. Clinicians can be very helpful to these young athletes and work with them to ensure the full benefits of sport activities.

Anemia in Sports: A Narrative Review.

Recent years have brought about new understandings regarding the pathogenesis of anemia in sports. From hemodilution and redistribution considered to contribute to the so-called “sports anemia” to iron deficiency caused by increased demands, dietary restrictions, decreased absorption, increased losses, hemolysis, and sequestration, to genetic determinants of different types of anemia (some related to sport), the anemia in athletes deserves a careful and multifactorial approach. Dietary factors that reduce iron absorption (e.g., phytate, polyphenols) and that augment iron’s bioavailability (e.g., ascorbic acid) should be considered. Celiac disease, more prevalent in female athletes, may underlie an unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Iron loss during exercise occurs in several ways: sweating, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. From a practical point of view, assessing iron status, especially in the athletes at risk for iron deficiency (females, adolescents, in sports with dietary restrictions, etc.), may improve the iron balance and possibly the performance. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin are measures that are easily employable for the evaluation of patients’ iron status. Cutoff values should probably be further assessed with respect to the sex, age, and type of sport. A healthy gut microbiome influences the iron status. Athletes at risk of iron deficiency should perform non-weight-bearing, low-intensity sports to avoid inducing hemolysis.

Роль інноваційної ліпосомальної форми пірофосфату заліза в корекції порушень транспорту кисню у представників олімпійських циклічних видів спорту (результати рандомізованого подвійного-сліпого плацебо-контрольованого дослідження)

Today, sports anemia occurs in elite sports quite often, although it is not a disease (does not apply to ICD-10), but only a pathological condition. Sports anemia is characterized by changes in the red link of the blood, and it is associated with a decrease in the content of erythrocytes and / or hemoglobin. However, this condition leads to a significant decrease in physical performance, and, consequently, the effectiveness of the competitive activity of representatives, first of all, of cyclic sports. Athletes are more sensitive to the effects of anemia and iron deficiency than people who are not constantly exposed to intense physical activity, since performance depends on the maximum oxygen consumption and utilization of active muscles. Sports anemia is often iron deficient, as well as B12 and folate deficient. Therefore, the assessment of various factors accompanying the development of anemia and the development of technologies for the correction of this pathological condition is an important task of sports laboratory diagnostics, as well as pharmacology and nutritional science of sports. Material and methods. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the effect of a course use of the Santeferra dietary supplement containing liposomal ferric iron in the form of pyrophosphate, vitamins B9, B12 and ascorbic acid on the results of training activities of representatives of cyclic sports with predominantly an aerobic energy supply mechanism. In the course of a dynamic study, which lasted 60 days, the parameters of hematological homeostasis and accumulation, metabolism and transport of iron (content of serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, folic acid, iron binding capacity of serum, saturation of transferrin with iron), as well as the level of serum erythropoietin and the severity of oxidative stress were assessed directly in the membranes of erythrocytes. In parallel, we determined the indicators of aerobic endurance: the absolute and relative values of the maximum oxygen consumption and the PWC170 value. Results and discussion. We found out that in the study sample of 67 athletes who specialized in sports with aerobic energy supply (running disciplines of athletics, rowing and canoeing, triathlon, cross-country skiing), 19 (28.35%) had manifestations of sports anemia, and 23 (34.32%) had latent iron deficiency, which also negatively effect on their physical performance. The course application of Santefrerra, 1 capsule per day for 60 days, helped to normalize the accumulation, transport and metabolism of iron, as well as to significantly reduce the manifestations of oxidative stress that occurs under the influence of prolonged physical exertion. In athletes with anemia and latent iron deficiency, practically no changes in the content of erythropoietin in the blood serum were found. At the end of the course of taking a dietary supplement, the indicators of the relative maximum oxygen consumption in the athletes of the main group increased by 11.5% (P <0.05) and the results of the PWC170 test by 11.4% (P <0.05) which displays predominantly aerobic endurance. In the placebo-control groups, we noted no positive dynamics in indicators of the red link of hematological homeostasis and the accumulation, metabolism and transport of iron, as well as the parameters of the prooxidant-antioxidant balance directly in the erythrocyte membranes during the 60-day observation period. Indicators of aerobic endurance also remained unchanged. Conclusion. Thus, the course using Santeferra is not accompanied by the development of side effects and is effective for the treatment of iron deficiencies in athletes

The Effects Of Match Conditions On The Shaped Elements Of Blood And Iron Level Of Football Players

The conditions of football match and intensive exercise changes the hematological parameters. It is also known that, endurance training causes “sports anemia” which is an athlete specific anemia type. The purpose of our study is to research the effects of pre-match and post-match on the shaped elements of blood and iron level of football players. The study group consisted of 12 volunteer male athletes who are playing football in Turkish A2 League for ‘Erciyes Spor Kulübü’. The volunteers have average age of 19.08 ± 0.36 years old, average height of 1.80 ± 0.02 cm and average weight of 70.16 ± 1.74kg. The pulsations, systolic/diastolic blood pressures, vertical/long jumps and elasticity of participating football players are measured and their blood samples were taken before and after the football match. Statistical analyzes of the data were performed by Paired t-test. There were statistically significant differences between the values of erythrocyte, leukocyte, thrombocyte, iron and iron binding (p<0.05) whereas there weren’t any significant differences between PCT (procalcitonin), RBC (red blood cell ) and MCH ( mean cell hemoglobin) levels (p>0.05) in football players before and after the match. According to our results, match conditions and intensive exercise cause serious increases and decreases in iron levels and shaped elements of blood. We think that it is important to follow regular blood samples in elite footballers, to monitor performances under high physical tension and overload and to provide information about immune systems.

Reduction of hemoglobin, not iron, inhibited maturation of red blood cells in male rats exposed to high intensity endurance exercises

The existence of sports anemia, induced by strenuous or long-term exercise and characterized by decreases of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin and iron content, remains to be doubtful. To observe the effects of endurance exercise on RBCs and explain the underlying reason, we designed this study by observing RBCs parameters and iron metabolism in 8-weeks training rats and effects of iron supplement or protein supplement on RBCs. Results showed that erythrocyte counts, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin content decreased while RBC distribution width increased in exercised rats at later stage during 8 weeks training. But the contents of serum iron and ferritin decreased only at 1-week and 2-week and returned to normal at 4-week and 8-week. Same as iron content, apparent iron absorption rate was declined at early stage but restored to normal level at 8-week, as well as serum adrenaline, cortisol and insulin levels. Instead, the contents of total protein and albumin in serum were decreased at later stage during 8-weeks training. Furthermore, we observed that protein supplement ameliorated RBCs parameters in rats exposed to 8 weeks swimming exercise, but iron supplement had no effects on RBCs, though it obviously increased iron content of serum and the liver. Based on these results, we drew a conclusion that transient changes of iron metabolism, which may be induced by stress hormone changes, was not the reason for RBCs decrease in endurance exercises but hemoglobin reduction, induced by defects in protein supplement, impeded development of RBCs.

Unchanged Erythrocyte Profile After Exposure to Cryogenic Temperatures in Elder Marathon Runners.

Objective: Endurance runners may experience “sports anemia” resulting from intravascular hemolysis. In addition, aging has negative impact on hematopoiesis and rheological properties of blood, and erythrocyte membranes in older people are more vulnerable to oxidative damage, which together can lead to anemia. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBCST) is increasingly used in the elderly as a method of biological regeneration of athletes or therapy and preventive treatment. That is why the aim of the study was to determine whether repeated WBCST had an effect on the erythrocyte system in master marathon runners, compared to non-training men.Methods: Ten marathon runners (men aged 55.9 ± 5.5 years, training experience 6.71 ± 5.79 years) and 10 non-training (men aged 62.0 ± 5.8 years) were subjected to a series of 24 WBCST (3 min, -130°C) performed every other day. Erythrocyte levels, interleukin-3 (IL-3), erythropoietin (EPO), haptoglobin, bilirubin, and extracellular hemoglobin (HGBecf) concentrations were determined in the blood before and after 12, 24 WBCST, as well as 7 days after their completion.Results: The concentrations of EPO and IL-3 were significantly increased 7 days after the completion of WBCST in both groups (P < 0.05). The erythrocyte content and indicators, the bilirubin, haptoglobin, and HGBecf levels in each group did not change as a result of WBCST. In order to document hemolytic changes and/or factors affecting the severity of erythropoiesis, correlations between growth erythropoietic factors, erythrocyte and hemolytic factors as well as mutual correlations between hemolytic indexes were calculated. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between the EPO and IL-3, bilirubin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and red blood cell distribution width – standard deviation. There was also a positive correlation between the concentrations of bilirubin and HGBecf, and a negative correlation between haptoglobin and HGBecf as well as bilirubin concentrations.Conclusion: WBCST treatments, repeated every other day, do not cause hemolytic changes in elder men with high or low physical activity. But also, they are a procedure that does not increase the level of erythrocytes or their hemoglobinization. In athletes, it is not a form of doping. The positive correlation between EPO and bilirubin may be indicative of, for example, the mutual antioxidative effect of these factors.

The changes of red blood cell viscoelasticity and sports anemia in male 24-hr ultra-marathoners

BackgroundIn endurance sports, stress, dehydration and release of chemical factors have been associated with red blood cell (RBC) alterations of structure and function, which may contribute to sports anemia, a well-observed phenomenon during long-distance running. Until now, the investigation of the changes of viscoelastic properties of RBC membrane, a decisive factor of RBC deformability to avoid hemolysis, is lacking, especially in an Oriental population. Methodsnineteen runners were prospectively recruited into our study. Hematological parameters were analyzed before and immediately after the 2015 Taipei 24H Ultra-Marathon Festival, Taiwan. Video particle tracking microrheology was used to determine viscoelastic properties of each RBC sample by calculating the dynamic elastic modulus G′(f) and the viscous modulus G″(f) at frequency f = 20 Hz. ResultsHaptoglobin, RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin, plasma free hemoglobin and unsaturated iron-binding capacity values of the recruited runners showed a statistically significant drop in the post-race values. Blood concentration of reticulocyte and ferritin were significantly higher at post-race compared with pre-race. 15 out of the 19 runners had a concurrent change in the elastic and the viscous moduli of their RBCs. Changes in the elastic and the viscous moduli were correlated with changes in the RBC count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. ConclusionViscoelasticity properties, the elastic modulus G′(f) and the viscous modulus G″(f) of RBCs are associated with endurance exercise-induced anemia.

Protective effects of the roots of Angelica sinensis on strenuous exercise-induced sports anemia in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSports anemia is a persistent and severe problem in athletes owing to strenuous exercise-induced oxidative stress and hepcidin upregulation. The roots of Angelica sinensis (AS), a familiar traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for replenishing blood since antiquity. Aim of the studyTo evaluate the effects of ethanolic AS extract in a 4-week study on sports anemia in female Wistar rats. Materials and methodsTo induce anemia, a strenuous exercise protocol consisting of running and swimming was employed with increasing intensity. Animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group; strenuous exercise group; and strenuous exercise and AS extract-treated group (300mgkg−1d−1). After 4 weeks, rats underwent exhaustive swimming and forelimb grip strength test. The blood biochemical markers and hepatic antioxidant activities were determined. Hepatic interleukin-6 and muscle glycogen were observed through immunohistochemical and Periodic acid–Schiff staining, respectively. ResultsAS extract (consisting of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and n-butylidenephthalide) treatment improved forelimb grip strength and rescued exercise-induced anemia by significantly elevating the red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations as well as hematocrit levels (p<0.05). AS modulated the iron metabolism through decreasing serum hepcidin-25 concentrations by 33.0% (p<0.05) and increasing serum iron levels by 34.3% (p<0.01). The hepatic injury marker serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations were also reduced, followed by increased antioxidant enzyme catalase expression in the liver (p<0.05). Furthermore, substantial attenuation of hepatic interleukin-6 expression and preservation of muscle glycogen content suggested the additional roles of AS acting on sports anemia and physical performance. ConclusionOur findings evidenced a novel and promising therapeutic approach for AS treatment for rescuing the anemic condition induced following 4 weeks of strenuous exercise.

Sports anaemia and anthropometric evaluation of footballers at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

IntroductionSports anaemia is a physiological activity that occurs amongst footballers and may be due to poor diet, over-training, as well as an increase in plasma volume in endurance training activities. High plasma volume leads to changes in haematological parameters that may impact on endurance of footballers. The objective of the study was to determine the correlation between haematological and an-thropometric indices and their role in sports anaemia in a tropical setting.MethodsVenous blood was taken into EDTA for 12 soccer players of KNUST soccer team before training and after training for the first (W1) and fifth (W5) weeks of training sessions. Complete blood count analysis was done for each blood sample and anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent and lean body mass were also measured. Cross-tabulations with mean and standard deviation or median and range were computed. Paired t-test & and Mann-Whitney test for parametric and non-parametric data computations were carried out and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was taken to rep-resent significant difference between data groups.ResultsThere was significant reduction in haemoglobin (p = 0.003), haematocrit (p = 0.002), mean cell volume (MCV) (p = 0.034) and red blood cell (RBC) count (p = 0.011) as a result of a significant expansion of plasma volume (p= 0.006). Neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts were reduced significantly (p= 0.043, 0.001 and 0.007, respectively) after the training at W5. Lean body mass (LBM) inversely correlated with haemoglobin (r = -0.787, p = 0.002) and haematocrit (r = -0.588, p = 0.044). Body fat percentage (BFP) also negatively correlated with lymphocyte count (r = -0.700, p = 0.011). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and plasma volume change after the training programme (r = 0.689, p = 0.013).ConclusionThe results suggest that sports anaemia was induced by an increase in plasma volume that resulted in changes in haematological parameters.

Recent Advances in Iron Metabolism: Relevance for Health, Exercise, and Performance.

Iron is necessary for physiological processes essential for athletic performance, such as oxygen transport, energy production, and cell division. However, an excess of "free" iron is toxic because it produces reactive hydroxyl radicals that damage biological molecules, thus leading to cell and tissue injury. Therefore, iron homeostasis is strictly regulated; and in recent years, there have been important advancements in our knowledge of the underlying processes. Hepcidin is the central regulator of systemic iron homeostasis and exerts its function by controlling the presence of the iron exporter ferroportin on the cell membrane. Hepcidin binding induces ferroportin degradation, thus leading to cellular iron retention and decreased levels of circulating iron. As iron is required for hemoglobin synthesis, the tight link between erythropoiesis and iron metabolism is particularly relevant to sports physiology. The iron needed for hemoglobin synthesis is ensured by inhibiting hepcidin to increase ferroportin activity and iron availability and hence to make certain that efficient blood oxygen transport occurs for aerobic exercise. However, hepcidin expression is also affected by exercise-associated conditions, such as iron deficiency, anemia or hypoxia, and, particularly, inflammation, which can play a role in the pathogenesis of sports anemia. Here, we review recent advances showing the relevance of iron for physical exercise and athletic performance. Low body iron levels can cause anemia and thus limit the delivery of oxygen to exercising muscle, but tissue iron deficiency may also affect performance by, for example, hampering muscle oxidative metabolism. Accordingly, a hemoglobin-independent effect of iron on exercise capacity has been demonstrated in animal models and humans. Here, we review recent advances showing the relevance of iron for physical exercise and athletic performance.

Iron Liposome: A more Effective Iron Supplement for Sports Anemia and Anemia of Inflammation

Anemia is such a serious global health problem that it has aroused the focus of the world. Anemia is characterized by decreased number of red blood cells (RBC), lower haemoglobin concentrations or even altered RBC morphology. Due to the critical role of iron in the production of haemoglobin and RBC, iron-deficiency is often accompanied with anemia. In general, it is recommended to supplement iron formulations when iron is deficiency in anemia patients. However, sports anemia and anemia of inflammation (AI) cannot be treated with traditional iron supplements because the iron cannot be absorbed adequately resulting from the decreased expression of iron uptake and exported proteins in duodenum. Therefore, new types of iron supplements should be designed to prevent or treat iron deficiency in sports anemia and AI. Iron liposome is a new type of iron supplement that can be absorbed without the limitation of iron uptake and export proteins. Iron liposome has the superiority of liposome that can cross the duodenum through membrane fusion, membrane diffusion or phagocytosis. This review mainly covers the advantage and usage of iron liposomes in the prevention and treatment of sports anemia and AI. This will shed light on the application of iron liposomes in clinic in future.

Early changes of the anemia phenomenon in male 100-km ultramarathoners

BackgroundSports anemia is a widely observed phenomenon after prolonged running. There are various factors that contribute to sports anemia, including hemodilution, exercise-induced oxidative stress, iron deficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, and hemolysis resulting from foot-strike and/or from compression of contracting muscles on capillaries. Until now, there has been no published report that describes the overall hematological, urinary, and fecal consequences in Asian male ultramarathoners after a 100-km (62.5-mile) ultramarathon event. MethodsA total of 25 male runners were recruited into our study. Blood was drawn 1 week before, immediately after, and then 24 hours subsequent to the race. Hematological samples were analyzed for the anemia phenomenon. Additionally, urinary and fecal samples were collected before and after the race for detection of occult blood. ResultsThe blood hemoglobin and erythropoietin values of the recruited runners showed a statistically significant rise in the immediate post-race values and a rapid drop in values at 24 hours post-race. Blood concentrations of red blood cells and hematocrit were significantly lower at 24 hours post-race compared with pre-race. The white blood cell count, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and ferritin all showed significant increases both immediately after and 24 hours post-race compared with pre-race hematological values. There were immediate decreases of both haptoglobin and iron, as well as an increase of total iron-binding capacity levels in post-race blood tests. For both urinary and fecal samples, there was a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-race results in occult blood. ConclusionRunning a 100-km ultramarathon will induce substantial sports anemia, and oxidative stress response, hemolysis, hematuria, and gastrointestinal bleeding are typical factors that contribute to its onset.

Hepcidin and sports anemia.

Iron is an important mineral element used by the body in a variety of metabolic and physiologic processes. These processes are highly active when the body is undergoing physical exercises. Prevalence of exercise-induced iron deficiency anemia (also known as sports anemia) is notably high in athletic populations, particularly those with heavy training loads. The pathogenesis of sports anemia is closely related to disorders of iron metabolism, and a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of iron metabolism in the course of physical exercises could expand ways of treatment and prevention of sports anemia. In recent years, there have been remarkable research advances regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying changes of iron metabolism in response to physical exercises. This review has covered these advances, including effects of exercise on duodenum iron absorption, serum iron status, iron distribution in organs, erythropoiesis, and hepcidin’s function and its regulation. New methods for the treatment of exercise-induced iron deficiency are also discussed.

Effect of Intensive Endurance Training Program on Blood Hepcidin Levels: Relation to Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Long Distance Runners

Athletes trained for regular intensive endurance exercise often have sports anaemia characterized by low blood iron and haemoglobin levels with decreased aerobic capacity, increases heart rate and elongates the recovery time after exercise. The antimicrobial hepcidin peptide secreted from liver found also to play an important role in iron metabolism leading to iron deficiency. Hepcidin secretion is induced by IL6 elevation after exercise in a case resembles acute phase. This study was proposed to investigate effect of hepcidin on blood iron due to chronic regular intensive program. Eight female athletes from the physical education field games team constituted subjects of this study. Their blood levels of hepcidin, IL6 and iron were measured pre, post and after 6 hours of exercise before and after the program. They were subjected to run on a treadmill at 75% of their VO2max for duration of 60 minutes/day for 5days/week for four weeks. Results revealed both acute and chronic low iron levels but only acute hepcidin and IL6. Theses results conclude that regular intensive training exercise leads to decreased blood iron causing sports anaemia. Also, iron is highly recommended to be supplemented during such periods in any sports program.

Intense exercise increases protein oxidation in spleen and liver of mice.

Studies have indicated that sports anemia is mainly associated with intravascular hemolysis induced by exercise. We hypothesized that such exercise-induced hemolysis leads to oxidative damage due to an increase in free iron caused by hematocyte destruction. Thirty-one male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a rested control group, an intense-exercise group, and a group rested for 24 hours after intense exercise. The serum haptoglobin level of the intense-exercise group decreased compared with that of the rested control group, suggesting hemolysis. Tissue iron and protein carbonyl levels in the liver were increased after exercise, and the protein carbonyl level in the spleen on the day after exercise was significantly increased compared with that of the resting state. These results suggest that the spleen and liver, where extravascular hemolysis occurs, were subjected to oxidative modification by the free iron, which was released from large numbers of hemocytes that were destroyed due to the intense exercise.

Anaemia and iron deficiency in female players in Albania; comparison with a reference group

Bozo, D. (2014). Anaemia and iron deficiency in female players in Albania; comparison with a reference group. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S460-S466. Alterations of the red blood cell system and iron metabolism can influence physical performance. On the other hand, exercise can influence haematological variables (Petibois et al., 2003). Screening for in persons is carried out primarily for health concern and secondly because it contributes to morbidity and diminished exercise performance (Descorges, 2008). While several studies in endurance show that dilutional sports anaemia can occur in the more elite athlete as an adaptation to aerobic conditioning, the prevalence of iron deficiency and its impact on performance have not been adequately investigated in non-endurance athletes (Di Santolo et al., 2008). The main objective of this study is to investigate the red blood cell population markers and the iron status in a group of 52 female volleyball players, and to identify possible differences with subjects of a reference sedentary group and the underlying factors underlying such responses. Eleven blood markers, of the red and white cell populations and the serum iron were studied in 52 female volleyball players from the local and university teams and 47 referent subjects, all aged 18-26 years, in blood samples taken from the cubital vein under standard conditions. The blood variables were analysed with an automatic cell counter, while iron status with a UV/visible spectrophotometer. Both female players and reference groups show similar range values for most of the blood markers and no significant differences (p<0.05) in means values for most of them. Players tend to have lower haemoglobin concentrations (35% of the subjects, under the norm vs 22% of the referents), RBC counts (32% under the normvs 20%), haematocrit level(35% under the normvs 22%) than sedentary counterparts. Iron status (only 12% under the norm for the players against 10.5% in referent subjects), differently from the RBC and Hgb data, demonstrate that iron deficiency does not seem to be the main and the only underlying factor for in the players groups. This is confirmed also by the differences in MCH, MCV and MCHC values between the two groups, which follow and are colinear to iron status data and intergroup differences. These data show that female players are in the borderline of the iron-dependent anaemic state, but with no significant differences with the referent counterparts, thus supporting the idea from other authors that, non-endurance physical activity, does not adversely affect particularly the iron stores (Di Santolo et al., 2008), (Schumacher, et al, 2002). The significant differences between the groups for other blood indices like RBC counts, haematocrit, Hgb and others seems more likely to be due to the response to training volume, method and periodicity (Withold et al., 2011). Key words: FEMALE VOLLEYBALL, BLOOD MARKERS, IRON STATUS, NON-ENDURANCE RESPONSE.