24th Annual Student Research Conference
Influence of Training Volume and Diet on Ferritin Levels of Division II Female Cross Country Runners
Anne E. Ratermann*, Emma K. Lennon, and Elli J. Mathis
Dr. Alex J. Koch and Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentors
We assessed changes in markers of iron status during a cross-country season. Female cross-country runners (n=6; height = 1647cm; body mass =52.75.6kg) and age-matched controls (n=8; height = 1676cm; body mass = 61.68.9kg) had resting blood samples drawn beginning, mid, and peak of cross-country season. Samples were analyzed for serum transferrin receptor (sTFr), total serum iron (SI), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) levels. Three-day food records were analyzed for total energy, macronutrient, and dietary iron intake. Analysis of dietary variables showed no difference between runners and controls in any dietary variable (p >0.05). There were significant differences in the pattern of change between runners and controls for sTFr (p=0.042) and Hct (p=0.016), with both variables increasing over the season in runners relative to controls. Total SI was not different (p=0.187); however, Hb displayed a trend (p=0.052) towards a difference. These data indicate competitive running presents a challenge to iron status.
Keywords: Exercise, Iron, Running
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 29-4
Location: VH 1010
Time: 2:00