EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM MODERATE EXERCISE ON IRON STATUS IN YOUNG-WOMEN

The impact of long-term (6-month) moderate exercise on the iron status of previously sedentary women was determined by randomly assigning 62 college-age women into one of the following four groups: 1) 50 mg . d (-1) iron supplement, low iron diet (N = 16); 2) Placebo, free choice diet (N = 13); 3) Meat supplement to achieve 15 mg . d(-1) iron intake (N = 13); and 4) Control, free choice diet (N = 20). All groups excep t the Control group exercised 3 d . wk(-1) at 60%-75% of their heart r ate reserve. VO2max was measured at baseline and week 24. Blood was sa mpled at baseline and every 4 wk thereafter for 24 wk to measure iron status and to elucidate the causes for alterations in iron status. Sub jects had depleted iron stores throughout the study as indicated by th eir serum ferritin levels (<15 ng . ml(-1)). Serum iron, total iron bi nding capacity and transferrin saturation were not compromised with ex ercise. Mean hemoglobin level in the Placebo/Ex group was significantl y (P < 0.05) lower than the 50 Fe/Ex and the Meat/Ex groups by week 24 . However, changes in serum albumin, haptoglobin, and erythropoietin d ata from the study cannot explain these changes.