Iron deficiency, supplementation, and sports performance in female athletes: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Iron facilitates key biological functions underpinning sports performance, and up to 60% of female athletes experience iron deficiency. However, the effects of iron deficiency on sports performance in female athletes is unclear, as are the degree of benefits of iron supplementation (FeSup). This study characterizes the effects of iron deficiency and FeSup on sports performance in high-level female athletes.

Methods

Searches of the electronic databases MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL were performed in July 2023. Studies were included that evaluated the effects of iron deficiency or FeSup on sports performance in high-level (maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) > 45 mL/kg/min, or trained > 5 h/week) iron deficient (ID) (serum ferritin (

SUBMITTER: Pengelly M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11863318 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature