Previous research has shown that prolonged and strenuous physical training can induce changes in haematological indices of athletes. In particular, diminished iron status can have detrimental effects on performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the iron status of highly trained New Zealand triathletes. Blood was withdrawn (from the antecubital vein) from 48 highly trained New Zealand triathletes (31 males with a mean age of 26.6 years and 17 females with a mean age of 23.1 years). The haematological parameters measured were complete blood count, serum ferritin, serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron binding capacity. For each parameter the means for male, female and total group were compared against normal range values. Colgan`s (1993) table of values was used as a basis upon which to grade those subjects with diminished iron status, as having stage one, stage two or stage three iron depletion. At the group level, haematological status was found to be adequate in males, females and the total group. However, 13 individuals (27%) were found to have at least one sub-optimal index. Of these 13 individuals, four (all females) were found to have stage one iron depletion. The finding that the iron status of the group as a whole was adequate is in accordance with (Weight et al 1992) study on South African triathletes. The finding that 27% of individuals had one sub-optimal haematological index is in accordance with (O`Toole et al 1989) study on ultra-endurance triathletes. The fact that four individuals (8% of the sample) were found to have stage one iron depletion indicates the value of using a full spectrum of relevant haematological indices, so that appropriate intervention can treat the condition before health and performance decline.
© Copyright 1999 5th IOC World Congress on Sport Sciences with the Annual Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 1999. All rights reserved.