Background: Iron status plays an important role in female athletes. Most of the
female athletes are suffering from anemia which may limit their performance.
Improved iron status may enhance their performance.
Objectives: The study was undertaken to investigate the iron status of Indian
tribal and non-tribal female athletes.
Methods: A total of seven hundred (n= 700) females (age: 12-18 years) actively
participating in sports activities were included randomly. The volunteers were
divided into: (a) tribal athletes (n= 350) and (b) non tribal athletes (n= 350). The
participants of each group were sub-divided into: (i) 12 yrs, (ii) 13 yrs, (iii) 14
yrs, (iv) 15 yrs, (v) 16 yrs, (vi) 17 yrs and (vii) 18 yrs age groups fifty volunteers
in each. Assessment of total red blood cells count (TRBC), haematocrit (Htc),
mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH),
haemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)
were performed.
Results: A significantly (P
Key words: haemoglobin, haematocrit, ferritin, transferrin receptor, female athletes
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