Abdallah, F., Lima, F. R., & Pinto, A. L. (2004). Hematological indices and iron status in adolescent competitive swimmers of both sexes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 2049.

Adolescent (13 ± 2 years) competitive swimmers (M = 26; F = 20) provided a blood sample after one day of rest.

Most swimmers were normal for hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity. However, 23% of boys and 55% of girls recorded low serum ferritin. Thus, a considerable number of Ss displayed nonanemic iron deficiency.

Implication. Adolescent swimmers should be monitored for the need for iron supplementation to bolster serum ferritin.

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