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Work capacity after iron treatment as a function of hemoglobin and iron deficiency.

1981; Center for Academic Publications Japan; Volume: 27; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3177/jnsv.27.87

1881-7742

Yoshinobu Ohira, V. Reggie Edgerton, Gerald W. Gardner, Kulasiri A. Gunawardena, B. Senewiratne, S Ikawa,

Human Health and Disease

The relative importance of hemoglobin (Hb) and non-Hb iron for physical work capacity was studied in 45 adult male and female subjects, with a range of Hb and serum iron levels. Maximal work capacity, heart rate, venous blood lactate and serum protein were measured before and after 1 week of treatment with Imferon, i.v. Even though some non-Hb related effects on parameters indicative of maximal work capacity were found, the main factor was Hb related. Subjects with low Hb-high serum iron worked longer than ones with low Hb-low iron. When the work performed was similar, the marginal Hb-low iron group had a higher blood lactate concentration than the high Hb-high iron and marginal Hb-high iron groups. The coefficient of correlation between serum iron and post-exercise lactate levels was -0.41 (p<0.05). Even though neither of these groups showed a Hb response within 1 week of iron treatment, the initial low serum iron groups had significantly lower heart rates at a given work load relative to subjects with high iron but with a similar Hb level. This occurred both at rest and during light to heavy exercise. These results suggest that a rather rapid benefit of iron treatment is gained in iron-deficient subjects with severe and moderate anemia which cannot be accounted for by Hb changes. Although the primary factor which affects the physical work capacity of iron-deficient anemic subjects seems to be the Hb level, there also seems to be a significant non-Hb related effect of iron treatment as well.