SERUM FERRITIN AND HEART-DISEASE - THE EFFECT OF MODERATE EXERCISE ONSTORED IRON LEVELS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a moderate exercise regimen on s tored iron as measured by serum ferritin in previously sedentary postm enopausal women.DESIGN: Randomized assignment to one of three groups: a five day/week walking group (five-day group, n = 27);a three day/wee k walking group (three-day group, n = 27) or a sedentary group (contro l group, n = 25). SETTING: Community-based intervention. PARTICIPANTS: Women who were postmenopausal, over 50 years old, sedentary, not on h ormone replacement therapy, nonsmokers, physically capable of exercisi ng, without clinical signs of cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic d isease, and not on medication that would affect iron metabolism. In ad dition, 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 = 1 7; three-day group, n = 19; control group, n = 20) who completed the s tudy. Their mean age was 61.3+/-5.8 years. INTERVENTION: 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. MAIN RESULTS: Following 24 weeks of walking, mea n 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. CON CLUSIONS: The extent of physical activity required to elicit a decreas e in stored iron in postmenopausal women was determined. This may be c linically significant because stored iron increases significantly foll owing menopause and excess stored iron have been cited as risk factors for coronary artery disease.