Ferritin and competitive sport in elderly: a correlation with heart coronary/ischemic risk

BACKGROUND: To investigate the modifications of some of the characteristics of the red blood cell system, iron metabolism and ferritin in a group of master endurance athletes engaged in competitive endurance running for three years, and to correlate these data with aerobic power (VO2max).METHODS: Twenty elderly male endurance athletes who attended our institution to obtain a medical certificate for eligibility to compete in their age group (group A) were compared with twenty male subjects who attended our institution as a control group as they practiced moderate recreational exercise (group C). Anthropometric measurements and body composition analysis, VC2max, red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, transferrin and ferritin were measured at the beginning of the study and every year for three consecutive years.RESULTS: Over the course of the study, in group A percent body fat (%BF) and ferritin were significantly lower at the second and third year than at the beginning of the study (P<0.05); fiat free mass (FFM) and VO 2 max were significantly higher at the second and third year than at the beginning of the Study (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). No significant difference was found for Hb, iron and transferrin in the three years of the observation. In group C: no significant differences were found in VO2max, BF% and FFM and hematologic variables.CONCLUSIONS: prolonged endurance activity induces a positive effect on some indices of iron metabolism.