Analysis of Serum Ferritin Levels in a Group of Elite Ballet Dancers

Author:

Jack Melissa L.1,Sumrall Keilea2,Nasrallah Carina1,Stuckey Dawn1,Jotwani Vijay1

Affiliation:

1. Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

2. Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX, USA

Abstract

Introduction: Iron plays a significant role in energy production. However, it is not uncommon for athletes to be diagnosed with iron deficiency (ID), suggesting a correlation between performance and iron regulation. As a result, the International Olympic Committee has recommended iron screenings during health evaluations for elite athletes. Furthermore, athletes participating in esthetic sports are at increased risk for suboptimal iron intake due to disordered eating. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of serum ferritin (SF) in a cohort of elite ballet dancers and determine associations between vitamin D, anthropometric measures, stress injury, and dietary preferences. Methods: Electronic health records of 40 elite ballet dancers (22 female, 18 male), age 19 to 38 years old, from the 2020 to 2021 pre-participation physical screening were examined. Chi squared comparisons were calculated to evaluate the association between SF and additional variables (ie, gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, vitamin D, stress injury history, and dietary preferences). SF values were compared to published normal and athletic population data. Results: 58.97% of participants displayed normal or above SF values (>50 ng/ml), while 41.02% displayed minimal (<50 ng/ml) to depleted (<0.12/ng/ml) SF values. Approximately, 68% of the female dancers were ID and did not meet the minimal value needed for athletes. Females were more likely to have lower SF distributions ( x2 [4] = 15.6377, P = .004) compared to male dancers. Additionally, dancers who reported dietary preferences (ie, vegetarian) were more likely to display lower SF distributions ( x2[4] = 13.3366, P = .010). Conclusion: Over half of the female elite ballet dancers were ID which is consistent with current research. Females were at a significant higher risk compared to male dancers who reported dietary preferences. These findings suggest iron screenings should be considered in elite dancer populations.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Medicine

Cited by 2 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3