Outcomes: Comprehensive treatment for this patient consisted of iron supplementation, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities. The athlete was able to compete during her entire cross-country season and earn All-American status at the Division-III level.
Full Answer
Can comprehensive management help female cross-country athletes with iron deficiency?
Mar 21, 2022 · Comprehensive treatment for this patient consisted of iron supplementation, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities. The athlete was able to compete during her entire cross-country season and earn All-American status at the Division-III level. Discussion
How does iron deficiency affect sports performance?
Comprehensive Sports Medicine Treatment of an Athlete Who Runs Cross-Country and is Iron Deficient Sports medicine professionals must consider iron deficiency as a possible differential diagnosis when evaluating endurance athletes. Subtle signs of iron deficiency may, unfortunately, be overlooked ultimately delaying treatment.
Are endurance runners at risk for iron deficiency?
Comprehensive treatment for this patient consisted of iron supplementation, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities. The athlete was able to …
Why was the patient referred to the athletic training department?
Feb 01, 2009 · Comprehensive Sports Medicine Treatment of an Athlete Who Runs Cross-Country and is Iron Deficient Jason Brumitt , MSPT, SCS, ATC, 1 Linda McIntosh , MS, ATC, 2 and Richard Rutt , PT, PhD, ATC 1 Jason Brumitt
How do runners treat anemia?
I suggest most runners be on an iron supplement unless their iron levels have tested high in the past.When you go to buy an iron supplement, make sure it's in the form of ferrous sulfate. ... Like when you're eating, avoid calcium an hour before and an hour after taking your iron.More items...
How is anemia treated in athletes?
Anaemia is treated by preventing decreased iron stores through a balanced food intake or iron supplements.
What might be a concern for an endurance athlete who has been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia?
Athletes may experience the following symptoms as a result of iron deficiency, particularly with anemia: weakness, general fatigue/exhaustion, decreased exercise performance, increased heart rate and shortness of breath during exercise, headaches, and dizziness.Aug 29, 2018
What athletes are at risk of iron deficiency?
Elite and recreational athletes, particularly female, adolescent or vegetarian athletes, involved in regular intensive training programs can be at risk of developing iron deficiency.
Why do athletes become iron deficient?
Iron deficiency in athletes may be the result of one or more of the following factors: gastrointenstinal blood loss,5,13, 23–26 hemolysis,27,28 hematuria,29 sweat loss,30 intense activity or exercise,5,11,12,23,31,32 and a lack of intake or absorption of dietary iron.
How does iron help athletes?
Iron is an essential mineral that assists in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. We need sufficient oxygen transport to enable our muscles to execute work. Iron is especially important for athletes due to the high work demands placed on their muscles during training and competition.Aug 29, 2018
How much magnesium should an athlete take?
500 to 800 mgResearch suggests that endurance athletes can safely consume 500 to 800 mg daily, and there is debate as to whether this amount should be higher still.Jan 14, 2015
Why do athletes need vitamin B?
Abstract. The B-vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6) are necessary in the energy-producing pathways of the body, while folate and vitamin B-12 are required for the synthesis of new cells, such as the red blood cells, and for the repair of damaged cells.
How much iron do endurance athletes need?
10 to 15 mg/dayStudies of the nutritional status of athletes in various disciplines have shown that male, but not female, athletes clearly achieve the recommended dietary intake of iron (10 to 15 mg/day).
How common is iron deficiency in athletes?
Overall, experts estimate that up to one-quarter of female athletes are iron deficient. Younger athletes who are still growing may also require higher levels of iron to stay healthy. That's because during times of growth, the body needs to create more blood.Aug 17, 2021
Do athletes need iron supplements?
In conclusion, iron supplements should be prescribed for athletes with iron-deficiency anemia and carefully monitored if given for prophylaxis; unless a therapeutic response occurs, investigations to establish the cause of iron deficiency should be initiated.
How does iron affect sports performance?
Having an iron deficiency, or in severe cases, anemia, can be detrimental to athletic performance and overall health. It limits the body's capacity to carry and deliver oxygen, thus stunting potential maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), or work capacity.
How many female endurance athletes are iron deficient?
Other studies show that 15-35% of female endurance athletes may be iron deficient while 5-11% of male endurance athletes are iron deficient. (20). Although a much higher percentage in females, this shows that male athletes can become deficient as well. Think about trying to run a 5k while breathing through a straw.
What is the most common nutritional deficiency in endurance athletes?
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies when it comes to endurance athletes, especially female endurance athletes. (10). The numbers are quite staggering. One study identified 82% of female athletes as iron deficient. (21).
What is ferritin in banking?
Ferritin is like a bank account for iron. One may start with a decent amount of money but if one only withdrawals money without ever depositing anything, pretty soon the account will be low or you will get the dreaded insufficient funds notification. Ferritin is a biomarker of the total iron stores in your body.
What hormone is released during exercise?
Hepcidin is a hormone that acts as the central regulator of iron absorption. Hepcidin releases during intense exercise. (13). During the 3-6 hour window after intense exercise, hepcidin levels are elevated so athletes eating within that time frame will reduce the percentage of iron absorbed. (14).
How does the body lose iron?
Our body can lose iron through gastrointestinal blood loss, hemolysis, menstruation, sweat loss, and intense exercise. (9). Our body takes in iron through our diet. Consumption of iron is essential for athletes wishing to achieve optimal athletic performance. (1). Iron from food comes in two forms: heme and non-heme.
Why do we need ferritin tests?
If the ferritin test identifies that the individual is at risk of iron deficiency, further tests may be needed. (7) Ferritin tests are the most commonly used test to check for iron deficiency due to their efficiency and relative cost compared to other tests.
How to tell if you have a lack of energy?
Some of these subtle signs include symptoms such as frequent infections, shortness of breath during exercise, respiratory illness, fatigue, weakness, pale appearance, lack of energy, depression, irritability, and unexplained poor performance are typical. (12). Many athletes will become frustrated, confused, and begin to lack motivation.
What is anemia in blood?
Anemia is defined as an insufficient amount of healthy red blood cells in circulation , and it is frequently associated with iron-deficiency (Brittenham, 2012). A potential source of the anemia may be blood loss from the gastrointestinal and urinary tract after intense exercise as mentioned earlier; this is a result of transient ischemia from the vasoconstriction of splanchnic (GI) and renal vessels during exercise (Yanovich et al., 2011). The maximum amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood is determined by the amount of the oxygen-carrying protein, hemoglobin, present in the blood. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, and so an iron deficiency places a greater demand on the cardiovascular system due to the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cells.
What happens if you leave hemoglobin unattended?
If left unattended, the free-floating hemoglobin can cause oxidative tissue damage, which will slow recovery time dramatically in the athlete, hence causing such fatigue and weakness (Peeling et al., 2009). One study found that a 60-minute effort at 75% of peak VO2 resulted in a four-fold increase in hemoglobin levels when compared to the same effort in cycling (Peeling et al., 2009).