title: Effects of 4 weeks iron supplementation on haematological and immunological status in elite female soccer players.
abstract: The effects of 4 weeks iron supplementation on haematological and immunological status were studied in 25 elite female soccer players aged 20-28 years. The subjects were randomized and assigned to one of the following two groups; subjects given 40 mg/day iron supplementation (S group) or those given placebo (C group). The oral iron supplementation (40 mg elemental iron) was taken in 15 ml solution once a day by the S group, and the C group took a placebo for 4 weeks. Daily energy and protein intakes met the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. Blood haemoglobin concentration did not change in the S group, but decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the C group over the 4-week experimental period. Haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and total iron binding capacity decreased significantly, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) in both the S and C groups. Plasma ferritin concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) in the S group, but did not change in the C group. The change of plasma immunological parameters and erythrocyte anti-oxidative enzyme activities were almost the same between the S and C groups. These results suggest that 4 weeks of iron supplementation by elite female soccer players significantly increased body iron stores and inhibited decrease of haemoglobin concentration induced by soccer training.
authors.affiliation: Korea Sports Medical Nutrition Institute, 48-19 Song Pa-Dong, Song Pa-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Tatsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002374:Catalase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012916:Soccer; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase