Iron status is related to rowing performance and rowing training

What is it about?

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world, and the consequences of iron deficiency are especially relevant to athletes. This paper describes a cohort of collegiate female rowers (athletes who tap into energy systems highly-reliant on iron!) in terms of their iron status, rowing performance and training at the beginning of a rowing season.

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Why is it important?

We found rowers with poor iron status had lower VO2peak (e.g. the highest amount of oxygen one can take in and use during a rowing test of maximal exertion), trained less each day, and finished a 4K timed trial (on a rowing ergometer in the lab) significantly slower than rowers with normal iron status. These findings are not only important to collegiate rowers, but to all active women. Bottom line: active women should have their iron status (Hgb and sFer, corrected for inflammation) "screened" at the beginning of a training season and treated appropriately, per MD and Registered Dietitian protocol during the season, whatever the activity may be.