Is iron treatment beneficial in, iron-deficient but non-anaemic (IDNA) endurance athletes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Is iron treatment beneficial in, iron-deficient but non-anaemic (IDNA) endurance athletes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Burden et al., 2015 | Br J Sports Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Burden Richard J, Morton Katie, ... Pedlar Charles R. Is iron treatment beneficial in, iron-deficient but non-anaemic (IDNA) endurance athletes? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2015-Nov;49(21):1389-97. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-093624

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether iron treatments improve the iron status and aerobic capacity of iron deficient non-anaemic endurance athletes. METHOD: A meta-analysis of studies that investigated the effects of iron treatment on serum ferritin (sFer), serum iron (sFe), transferrin saturation (Tsat), haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and (VO(2max)). Seventeen eligible studies were identified from online databases. RESULTS: Analysis of pooled data indicated that iron treatments had a large effect on improving sFer (Hedges' g=1.088, 95% CI 0.914 to 1.263, p<0.001), sFe (Hedges' g=1.004, 95% CI 0.828 to 1.181, p<0.001) and Tsat (Hedges g=0.741, 95% CI 0.564 to 0.919, p<0.001) and a moderate effect on improving [Hb] (Hedges' g=0.695, 95% CI 0.533 to 0.836, p<0.001) and (VO(2max)) (Hedges' g=0.610, 95% CI 0.399 to 0.821, p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between the effect of iron treatment on sFer and treatment duration, suggesting treatments that lasted beyond 80 days appear to have the least effect on sFer. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate iron treatments improve the iron status and aerobic capacity of iron deficient non-anaemic endurance athletes.

Key Findings

Analysis of pooled data indicated that iron treatments had a large effect on improving sFer (Hedges' g=1.088, 95% CI 0.914 to 1.263, p<0.001), sFe (Hedges' g=1.004, 95% CI 0.828 to 1.181, p<0.001) and Tsat (Hedges g=0.741, 95% CI 0.564 to 0.919, p<0.001) and a moderate effect on improving [Hb] (Hedges' g=0.695, 95% CI 0.533 to 0.836, p<0.001) and (VO(2max)) (Hedges' g=0.610, 95% CI 0.399 to 0.821, p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between the effect of iron treatme

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Athletic Performance
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Male
  • Physical Endurance
  • Regression Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron-athletic

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09