Serum ferritin values in elite speed and synchronized swimmers and speed skaters

Reports of subnormal serum ferritin values for elite athletes are widespread. Human studies evaluating performance in the ferritin-depleted state have led to a questioning of the significance of low ferritin levels for athletic performance. However, the accelerated iron metabolism and subnormal iron intake-uptake demonstrated by some athletes suggests that a point occurs in training at which the body must draw on its reserves. In consideration of this problem, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum Fe, and total iron-binding capacity levels were measured in elite Canadian female synchronized swimmers (n = 9), male speed swimmers (n = 7), and male and female speed skaters (n = 6, n = 6) over the course of two seasons of training and competition. Training sessions were monitored to document the workload carried out by each athlete. The midseason serum ferritin team values for the first and second years (mean +/- SEM) were as follows: synchro 48 +/- 10 micrograms.1 L, 24 +/- 6 micrograms.1 L; female speed skaters 57 +/- 14 micrograms.1 L, 51 +/- 7 micrograms.1 L; male speed skaters 94 +/- 27 micrograms.1 L, 72 +/- 19 micrograms.1 L; and male swimmers 66 +/- 13 micrograms.1 L, 56 +/- 7 micrograms.1 L. A significant decrease was seen in both serum ferritin and hemoglobin for the synchronized swimmers and in serum ferritin for the male speed skaters (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that a tendency exists for a decrease in serum ferritin levels from season to season.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)