Iron Absorption and Exercise

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Iron is a nutritionally essential mineral required for optimal physical and cognitive performance. Endurance exercise often leads to declines in iron status; however, the reason for the decline is not known. The primary objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of an acute bout of strenuous endurance exercise on iron absorption and status and markers of inflammation in human volunteers. The investigators hypothesize that an acute bout of strenuous endurance exercise, compared to rest, will reduce iron absorption, resulting in diminished iron status, and that reduced iron absorption will be negatively associated with markers of inflammation. A secondary objective is to monitor iron status throughout a season of competition.

Official Title
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Fractional Iron Absorption in Response to an Acute Bout of Exercise

Conditions
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Iron-deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anemia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Meal


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Members of the Florida State University Cross Country team Refrain from using any pain-relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, Naprosyn®), or any other aspirin-containing product on the 2 study days Refrain from using vitamin or mineral supplements on the study days Exclusion Criteria: Musculoskeletal injury that compromise the ability to exercise
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Exercise<br>During the exercise arm, volunteers will complete a planned workout, as prescribed by the coach. The workout will be designed to be strenuous and induce an inflammatory response. | Other: Meal<br>* Participants will consume a meal containing a stable iron isotope following exercise or rest.<br>|
| Experimental: Rest<br>The rest arm will be coordinated with a planned non-workout day, as prescribed by the coach, where volunteers are either scheduled to not run or go for an easy recovery run (<6 miles at a self-described easy pace) later in the afternoon. | Other: Meal<br>* Participants will consume a meal containing a stable iron isotope following exercise or rest.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in fractional iron absorption | Stable iron isotopes | Red blood cells collected on day 0 and day 14 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in concentration of ferritin in ng/mL | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 | 
| Change in concentration of soluble transferrin receptor in nmol/L | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 | 
| Change in concentration of hemoglobin in g/L | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 | 
| Change in concentration of hematocrit as % | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 | 
| Change in concentration of hepcidin in ng/mL | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 | 
| Change in concentration of IL-6 in pg/mL | Blood measure | Day 0 and day 14 |