Hematological comparison of iron status in trained top-level soccer players and control subjects

The aim of the present study was to compare the iron status of 19 top-level soccer players and 20 male control subjects. All players showed no impairment of physical performance and had a dietary iron intake adequate to cover the iron losses. Serum iron, TIBC, % transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were not significantly different in athletes and controls: serum haptoglobin was significantly lower in the former than in the latter, the result probably indicating an increase in resting intravascular hemolysis. Since the formed Hb-Hp complex is taken up and metabolized by hepatocytes, it has been suggested that in soccer players a redistribution of iron stores occurs among tissue compartments. A multiparametric hematological monitoring of iron metabolism, just as in runners, is therefore necessary in these athletes, too, in order to detect subjects at risk of real iron deficiency. The pharmacological iron supplementation should be limited to these subjects and only when clinical evidence of reduced tissue iron supply is present.