International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology

2322-3537 www.ijaep.com
Vol.5 No.1
Received: December, 2015 Accepted: February, 2016 Available online: March, 2016

Short-Term Adaptation of Some Iron Indices of Young Elite Wrestlers to Three

Types of Aerobic, Anaerobic, and Wrestling Training

Seyed Morteza Tayebi1, Hosein Mahdian2, Seyed Aliakbar Mahmoudi3*

1
Assistant Professor, Exercise Physiology Division, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba'i
University, Tehran, Iran., 2 PhD student, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad
University, Sari, Iran., 3Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of
Medical Science, Sari, Iran. Email: aliakbar.1355@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The central role of iron in oxygen transport makes it a key element for sports performance. Since acid-based balance is among the
most important functions conducted by iron and the dominant energy system in wrestling depends on acid lactic system, then the investigation of
wrestlers’ iron status would be an important issue. The present study was conducted to study the short term adaptation to some iron indices of
elite wrestlers to two and three non-consecutive sessions of three types of aerobic, anaerobic, and wrestling exercises. A total of 24 elite volunteer
wrestlers with the history of at least 5 years sport activity and three wrestling sessions per week were randomly categorized into three groups of
eight people practicing aerobic, anaerobic, and routine wrestling exercises. The exercises were conducted during three non-consecutive sessions
within a week. The aerobic exercises included 35 min of continuous running with 130 bits per minute (BPM) on a treadmill machine, the
anaerobic exercises included 15 min circuit exercise and 15 min rest with 160 BPM, and the wrestling training included routine wrestling
exercises. Blood sampling was done 24 h before the first session, 24 h after the second session, and 24 h after the third session in order to
investigate the short term adaptations. The study of short term adaptation to two non-consecutive exercise sessions showed that aerobic exercise
as compared to wrestling exercise led to significant decline in serum iron (p=0.006). Wrestling exercise as compared to aerobic and anaerobic
exercise led to significant decline of serum ferritin [respectively (p=0.014) and (p=0.004)]. Serum TIBC of three aerobic, anaerobic, and
wrestling exercises groups had no significant difference (F=1.24, p=0.309). The study of short term adaptation to three sessions of non-
consecutive session showed that none of the variables of serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC in the three aerobic, anaerobic, and wrestling exercises
groups had no significant change [respectively (F=2.4, p=0.11), (F=3.04, p=0.07), and (F=1.33, p=0.29)]. In the study of short term adaptation to
two non-consecutive stages, the wrestlers who practiced wrestling exercises confronted the first stage of iron deficiency, because they showed
lower level of iron stores (reduced level of serum ferritin). On the other hand, the wrestlers who practiced aerobic exercises had lower level of
serum iron and so were settled in the second stage of iron deficiency. However, there was no difference observed between the training types in
terms of iron indices in the study on short term adaptation to the three stages of non-consecutive stages.

Keywords: Iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, aerobic, anaerobic, wrestling
 IRON STATUS IN ADAPTATION TO AEROBIC, ANAEROBIC, AND WRESTLING TRAINING
INTRODUCTION
Iron is an essential element for the entire body cells and plays an
important part in hemoglobin synthesis, electron transport in
cellular respiration system, DNA synthesis, and other vital
enzymatic reactions of the body. Iron and its transporter proteins
have sensitive role in the physiology of human body tissues, such
as blood [1]. Although, different body systems and tissues do not
have the same response to a variety of activities, the performance
of any activity would engage all the body cells in some way. Blood
tissue is one of these parts which has attracted the attention of
many researchers and scientists due to its importance in body
metabolism, supply of oxygen, and excretion of carbon dioxide [2].
Sports hematology has significantly progressed during the last 40
years and has manifested as a specialized sub-branch of science
[3]. Iron deficiency, as an aspect of sports hematology which has
allocated major parts of studies to itself, is today one of the most
controversial discussions in sports medicine [4]. There are
abundant contrary data and opposite insights existing in the review
of literature. The key role of iron in oxygen transport makes it a
vital element for sports performance [5, 6].
Iron deficiency is the most common disease arising from the
inadequacy of a nutrient around the world which has addressed
almost 15% of the world population [7]. This concern, with or
without anemia, is a common phenomenon in non-sporting
communities and the contradiction initiates when its prevalence
comparison is done between public community and athletes.
Karamizrak et al. (1996) reported that the level of iron stores in
athletes is about 3% lower than normal range which may even
reach 50% among women [5]. However, the discussion will
continue in the field of physical activities and iron status in the
body. Studies conducted on iron status concentrated on the
comparison between athletes and normal people [6], comparison
between sport fields [5, 8, 9], examination of athletes during
different training seasons [10], the impact of supplementation and
exercises [11], the relation between iron status and type of
performance [12], investigation of the impacts of long term
exercises [13], and the effect of exercises on people suffering from
thalassemia [14]. However, there is still a large gap regarding the
acute, short term, and anaerobic exercises. Milic et al. (2011)
reported that athletes who make use of anaerobic energy system, as
compared to the ones who depend on semi-aerobic anaerobic
energy system, possessed higher level of serum iron and transferrin
saturation. The aerobic athletes had the highest range of
reticulocyte hemoglobin content as compared to anaerobic and
semi-aerobic anaerobic athletes [15].
International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology www.ijaep.com
VOL. 5 (1)
On the other hands, wrestling is a sport which demands high
anaerobic power, high anaerobic capacity, high muscular
endurance, aerobic power higher than average, average pulmonary
function, flexibility, high level of leanness except heavy weights,
and somatotype focusing on mesomorph in a way that diverse
exercise methods including anaerobic, endurance, and resistance
exercises have been recommended to improve the general
physiological profile of wrestlers [16]. Since one of the most
important roles of iron is the preservation of acid-based balance [3]
and the acid lactic is the dominant system here, the investigation of
iron status among wrestlers is a prominent issue. Several
researches have been done concerning iron status of wrestlers.
Saygin (2014) compared some parameters of iron status in
wrestlers in different weights and reported that serum iron and
ferritin among light weight wrestlers are lower than average weight
and the serum ferritin of light weight wrestlers is lower than heavy
weight; although, serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level
has no difference [17]. The comparison between serum ferritin of
wrestlers concerning diverse studies showed that there exists no
difference and they are not even influenced by rapid weight loss [5,
8, 18, 19]. Hesaar et al. (2013) reported the results of the study on
65 min of wrestling exercises which showed that red cell
distribution width (RDW) as one of the iron status factors has
significantly decreased. This reduction was more exceeding in
afternoon exercises as compared to morning session. However,
other iron indices such as hemoglobin and mean cell volume
(MCV) had no significant change [20].
It is reported that athletes who practice types of sport branches
demanding diverse dominant energy systems demonstrate
differences in hematological profile parameters especially iron
indices [15]. Such differences may result from training for specific
disciplines, sport acute effects, seasonal adaptations, and special
training regimes such as endurance or strength types [21-24].
Considering the insufficient volume of studies performed on
athletes’ iron status, the results’ contradiction and absence of
adequate information about anaerobic exercises, and the effect of
short term adaptation on iron status responses, we decided to study
the short term adaptation of some elite wrestlers’ iron indices to
two and three inconsecutive sessions of three types of aerobic,
anaerobic, and wrestling training.
METHODS
Participants. 24 elite volunteer wrestlers with 70± 10 weight
average, 3 ±2 age with at least 5 years record of wrestling
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 IRON STATUS IN ADAPTATION TO AEROBIC, ANAEROBIC, AND WRESTLING TRAINING
exercises, and 3 wrestling exercise sessions per week participated
in this field research on the condition of acquaintance with all the
necessary research conditions, filling out a consent form,
possessing physical health status, no severe anemia, no usage of
iron supplement pills, and medicines affecting iron metabolism.
They were randomly categorized into three 8-people groups of
aerobic, anaerobic, and routine wrestling exercises. Subjects’
specifications are summarized in Table 1.
Protocol. The samples participated in two sessions of public
instruction classes to become familiar with the procedures. The
exercises were conducted within a week during three con-
consecutive sessions. Aerobic exercise included 35 min of
continuous running with 130 bits per minute (BPM) on treadmill
machine (Fitness vision, Taiwan), anaerobic exercises included 15
min circuit exercises, 15 min rest with 160 BPM, and wrestling
exercises included routine wrestling exercises. Blood sampling was
done 24 h before first session, 24 h after second session, and 24 h
after third session conducted in a sitting position and from brachial
vein by vacuum bottles containing EDTA anticoagulant substance
and venoject needle. The samples were taken to the laboratory and
were transferred to -70.c freezer after centrifuging and serum
separation. Iron measurement was done by iron kite (Pars Azmoon,
Iran), ferritin measurement by Vitros kite (Ortodiagnosting,
America) and IRMA method, TIBC measurement by TIBC kite
(Pars Azmoon, Iran) and Magnesium Carbonate Precipitating
method.
International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology www.ijaep.com
VOL. 5 (1)
Statistical methods. The average descriptive statistics and
standard error were applied to describe the collected data. The
ANCOVA statistical method was applied to analyze the short term
adaptation to two and three inconsecutive sessions. The analysis
was performed using SPSS at p<0.05 of significance level.
STATISTICAL RESULTS
In order to examine the short term adaptation to two non-
consecutive exercises sessions (Table 2), serum iron and ferritin
were affected by the type of exercise [respectively (p=0.008)
(F=6.22) and F=8.25)] in a way that the aerobic exercise as
compared to wrestling exercise led to significant decrease in the
serum iron (p=0.006); the wrestling exercise as compared to
aerobic and anaerobic exercises led to significant decrease in
serum ferritin [respectively (p=0.014), (p=0.004))]. But the TIBC
level of serum in the three groups of aerobic, anaerobic, and
wrestling exercises had no significant changes (F=1.24, p=0.309).
In order to examine the short term adaptation to three non-
consecutive exercises sessions (Table 3), none of the variables of
serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC had no significant changes in the
three groups of aerobic, anaerobic, and wrestling exercises
[respectively (F=2.4, p=0.11) (F=3.04,p=0.07) and (F=1.33,
p=0.29)].
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 IRON STATUS IN ADAPTATION TO AEROBIC, ANAEROBIC, AND WRESTLING TRAINING VOL. 5 (1)

DISCUSSION deficiency, the hemoglobin synthesis reduces due to insufficient

preparation of iron which leads to anemia [25]. So the wrestlers
The present study showed that in the short term adaptation to
who practiced wrestling exercises were placed in the first stage of
two exercise sessions, the serum iron of wrestlers who had
iron deficiency in short term adaptation to the two stages of non-
practiced aerobic exercises was significantly lower than those
consecutive exercises since they showed lower level of iron stores
practicing anaerobic and wrestling exercise. On the other hand, the
(decline in serum ferritin), but the wrestlers who practiced aerobic
serum ferritin of wrestlers who practiced aerobic and anaerobic
exercises were placed in the second stage of iron deficiency,
exercises was higher than wrestlers who practiced wrestling
because they had lower level of serum iron. It is reported that
exercises. The iron indices of elite wrestlers in short term
athletes who practice sport demanding diverse energy supplying
adaptation to three sessions had no difference in none of the
machines had differences in hematological profile parameters,
exercise types.
especially iron indices [15]. Any change in these parameters could
Iron deficiency progresses in three stages [25]. Firstly, the iron
originate from training for specific disciplines, sport acute effects,
stores in reticuloendothelial cells of liver, spleen, and bone marrow
seasonal adaptations, special training regimes such as endurance or
decline, which is seen as a reduction in serum ferritin and is
strength training [21-24]. In this regard, Milic et al. (2011)
introduced as reduced iron stores. The second stage is
reported that athletes who depend on anaerobic energy system
demonstrated with red blood cells production (erythropoiesis)
possess higher level of serum iron and transferrin saturation as
followed by a reduction in iron transport and iron preparation for
compared to athletes engaged in semi-aerobic anaerobic energy
cells. This stage is manifested by low serum iron, increased total
system. The athletes practicing aerobic exercises possess the
binding capacity, and reduced transferrin saturation. These two
highest level of reticulocyte hemoglobin content as compared to
stages of iron deficiency is introduced as “latent iron deficiency”
those who depend on anaerobic and semi-aerobic anaerobic
pre-anemia or “iron-deficient non-anemia”. In the last stage of iron
systems [15].

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 IRON STATUS IN ADAPTATION TO AEROBIC, ANAEROBIC, AND WRESTLING TRAINING VOL. 5 (1)

The major mechanism of exercise-related iron loss in athletes level of 67%. Hepcidine had a behavior similar to serum ferritin
includes hemolysis, hematuria, sweating, gastrointestinal bleeding, [34]. Moreover, the serum TIBC and iron decreased due to 8-week
and chronic inflammation. The latest reports showed that hepcidin, exercise period and had not change in a recovery period [34]. The
a peptide hormone regulating iron which is majorly formed in liver present study did not investigate these mechanisms; however, the
can organize the plasma concentrations of iron in response to probability of their influence can be brought forth for discussion.
inflammations [26]. Hepcidin regulates the iron concentration and
distribution of tissue iron through inhibition of intestinal Conclusion
absorption, release by macrophages, and mobilization of hepatic
The present study showed that the number of two and three non-
iron reserves [27]. Hepcidin levels increases from 3 to 24 h after
consecutive exercise sessions had different short time adaptation
exercises in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), an initial regulating
on serum iron indices in elite wrestlers. There was no difference
cytokine for hepcidine up-regulation which rapidly decreases the
between training types in terms of iron indices in short time
concentration of iron plasma [28-31]. It was found out that acute
adaptation to three stages of non-consecutive stages. But the short
exercise sessions increase the acute phase response and lead to the
term adaptation to two stages of non-consecutive stages affected
production of post-exercise cytokines [32]. It is known that IL-6
serum iron and serum ferritin. Wrestlers who practiced wrestling
derived from muscle as compared to its previous status, can
exercises were placed in the first stage of iron deficiency in the
increase up to 100 times during training [33]. Pilling et al. (2014)
short term adaptation to two non-consecutive stages of exercise,
observed that after one session of acute running exercise with four
because they showed lower levels of iron stores (decline in serum
diverse protocols in four groups possessing different levels of
ferritin levels). But the wrestlers who practiced aerobic exercises
ferritin (lower than 30, 30-50, 50-100, and above 100), the serum
were placed in the second stage of iron deficiency, because they
ferritin, except in groups lower than 30 had significant increase
showed lower level of serum iron. In other words, the present
[31]. The serum iron in all the groups except 30-50 group had
study showed that both type and number of exercise sessions were
significant increase. The IL-6 had significant increase in all the
effective on the iron indices of elite wrestlers. So, it is
groups [31]. Besides, hepcidine-25 within 3 h after exercises had a
recommended that elite wrestlers should pay much attention to the
behavior similar to post-exercise serum ferritin such that a strong,
type of field-specific trainings and related compatibilities in their
positive, and significant correlation was observed between these
workout schedule to avoid any exposure to iron deficiency,
two groups [31]. Auersperger et al. (2013) reported that 71% of
probable damages to their sports performance, and benefit from a
iron stores (serum ferritin) after 8 weeks of long term running had
profitable nutrition plan.
long term decrease (serum ferritin) [34]. They were even not
recovered during a 10-days recovery period and were still at a high

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