Serum ferritin and heart disease: the effect of moderate exercise on stored iron levels in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a moderate exercise regimen on stored iron as measured by serum ferritin in previously sedentary postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Randomized assignment to one of three groups: a five day/week walking group (five-day group, n = 27); a three day/week walking group (three-day group, n = 27) or a sedentary group (control group, n = 25).


METHODS
Community-based intervention.


METHODS
Women who were postmenopausal, over 50 years old, sedentary, not on hormone replacement therapy, nonsmokers, physically capable of exercising, without clinical signs of cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease, and not on medication that would affect iron metabolism. In addition, they had neither donated blood nor been transfused within the previous 12 months. All participants were screened volunteers who had responded to media advertisements. Seventy-nine participants met these criteria. Results are reported for 56 subjects (five-day group, n = 17; three-day group, n = 19; control group, n = 20) who completed the study. Their mean age was 61.3 +/- 5.8 years.


METHODS
The five-day group and the three-day group walked an average of 279 +/- 20 and 171 +/- 7 mins/week, respectively. Participants were counselled not to change their dietary intake.


RESULTS
Following 24 weeks of walking, mean serum ferritin decreased significantly in the five-day group (P < 0.03), but not in the three-day group (P < 0.09) compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The extent of physical activity required to elicit a decrease in stored iron in postmenopausal women was determined. This may be clinically significant because stored iron increases significantly following menopause and excess stored iron have been cited as risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Naimark
B J
BJ
Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba. barbara-naimark@umantoba.ca
Ready
A E
AE
Sawatzky
J A
JA
Boreskie
S
S
Ducas
J
J
Drinkwater
D T
DT
Oosterveen
S
S
D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016138:Walking
D005293:Ferritins