IRONWOMAN: the impact of iron deficiency in exercising women
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of iron deficiency on functional performance outcome measures and quality of life in exercising women.
IRAS ID
180318
Contact name
Georgie Bruinvels
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research question/aim?\nThis research aims to determine the efficacy of intravenous iron treatment at improving functional performance outcome measures (i.e. VO2max) in premenopausal exercising females. \n\nHow is it of relevance and importance to patients and the public?\nAffecting around one third of the population, iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world, and without treatment it will progress to anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has been shown to negatively impact upon physical and cognitive development and performance, reducing quality of life, worsening clinical outcomes and increasing hospital stay in hospitalised patients. It has also been shown to increase fatigue and decrease productivity. Due to menstruation, females have an increased susceptibility to iron deficiency. Susceptibility is also enhanced in the athletic population, and particularly in those partaking in endurance exercise who experience increased iron losses through foot strike haemolysis, sweating, gastrointestinal bleeding and increased inflammation. The risk of iron deficiency is therefore likely increased in premenopausal exercising females. \nPrevious research has demonstrated the efficacy of iron therapy at treating anaemia in the medical, clinical and postpartum settings. However research looking at the effects of administrating iron to exercising females and assessing changes in markers of functional performance is lacking. IDA negatively impacts upon red blood cell production and therefore oxygen carrying capacity, indicting that it is likely to affect performance and aerobic capacity. The aim of this research therefore is to determine the efficacy of intravenous iron treatment at improving functional performance outcome measures in premenopausal exercising females. \n\nWhat are (disease, therapy or service) is being studied?\nThis research will study exercising females with an iron deficiency (haemoglobin ≥ 90 g/L (9.0 g/dL) but ≤ 130 g/L (13.0 g/dL), ferritin < 30ng/mL).\n
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1570
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion