Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 25-33, June 2010

Meal Composition and Iron Status of Experienced Male and Female Distance Runners

  • Sandra Anschuetz

      Affiliations

    • School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, CANADA
    • ,
  • Carol D. Rodgers

      Affiliations

    • College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding Author Carol D. Rodgers, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, CANADA
    • ,
  • Albert W. Taylor

      Affiliations

    • School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, CANADA
    • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, CANADA

Article Outline

This study compared the iron status of middle-distance runners consuming meals providing low-medium iron availability (LMIA) or medium-high iron availability (MHIA), and determined the effect of a 4-week intervention on iron status in LMIA participants. Seventeen university-aged competitive runners and eight inactive controls participated. Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly greater in the MHIA group (58.7 ± 9.7ng·mL−1) than in the LMIA group (43.6 ± 10.9 ng·mL−1). Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were noted between absorbable dietary iron and serum iron (r = 0.639), total iron binding capacity (r = −0.636) and hemoglobin (r = 0.523). The mean absorbable dietary iron was significantly greater following the intervention in LMIA males (Test 1, 0.97 ± 0.3 mg·day−1; Test 2, 1.54 ± 0.5 mg·day−1; p < 0.05). Dietary advice did not improve iron status. These data suggest that meal composition may influence the amount of iron available for absorption and for maintaining iron status over time.

Keywords:  dietary counseling , exercise , iron absorption , iron deficiency , serum ferritin

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PII: S1728-869X(10)60004-4

doi:10.1016/S1728-869X(10)60004-4

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 25-33, June 2010

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