Nutrient intakes and iron status in female long-distance runners during training

Iron deficiency in endurance athletes, especially women, has been reported to be as high as 80%; the usual prevalence in menstruating women is 20%. Pate suggests that athletes be screened for anemia, suboptimal hemoglobin, and factors that increase the risk of those conditions. Risk factors include diets low in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B-12, and folacin; high iron losses; and intense training. The screening would rule out non-iron-associated anemias and help to establish appropriate dietary intervention techniques. Few of the parameters, especially diet, have been explored in female long-distance runners over a training period. The purpose of this research project was to determine energy and dietary nutrient intakes of female long-distance runners over a 9-week training period and to determine whether the exercise altered hematological and iron status indexes