Effect of iron injections on aerobic-exercise performance of iron-depleted female athletes.
This investigation examined the effect of intramuscular iron injections on aerobic-exercise performance in iron-deficient women. Sixteen athletes performed a 10-min steady-state submaximal economy test, a VO2max test, and a timed test to exhaustion at VO2max workload. Subjects were randomly assigned to an iron-supplemented group (IG) receiving intramuscular iron injections or to a placebo group (PG). Twenty days after the first injection, exercise and blood testing were repeated. A final blood test occurred on Day 28. Post supplementation, no differences were found between the groups' submaximal or maximal VO2, heart rate, or blood lactate (P > 0.05). Time to exhaustion was increased in the IG (P < 0.05) but was not greater than that of the PG (P > 0.05). The IG's serum ferritin (SF) was significantly increased on Days 20 and 28 (mean +/- standard error: 19 +/- 3 to 65 +/- 11 to 57 +/- 12 microg/L; P < 0.01), with a percentage change from baseline significantly greater than in the PG (P < 0.01). It was concluded that intramuscular iron injections can effectively increase SF without enhancing submaximal or maximal aerobic-exercise performance in iron-depleted female athletes.
Peeling
Peter
P
School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009 Australia.
Blee
Tanya
T
Goodman
Carmel
C
Dawson
Brian
B
Claydon
Gary
G
Beilby
John
J
Prins
Alex
A
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007773:Lactates; D014131:Trace Elements; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron