Relationships between Iron Status and Selected Physical Fitness Components of South African Adolescents

The Pahl-Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15720111
AuthorsMakama Andries Monyeki (0000-0002-4156-8394, North-West University, corresponding author), Tamrin Veldsman (0000-0002-2605-4686, University of Southern Queensland), Ben Coetzee (0000-0001-5827-5718, North-West University), Martinique Sparks (0000-0001-9251-6108, University of Southern Queensland), Sarah Mo (0000-0001-7938-1800, North-West University), Cindy Pienaar (0000-0002-0792-1414, North-West University), Mariëtte Swanepoel (0000-0002-4038-9466, North-West University), Linda Malan (0000-0001-6609-0238, North-West University), Herculina S Kruger (0000-0002-5365-1777, North-West University)
Year2024
Volume11
Issue6
Pages659-659
Publication date2024-05-28
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children11060659
PMID38929238
OpenAlexW4399079772
LanguageEN
References cited48

Poor iron status is detrimental to physical and cognitive performance in adolescents. Due to the limited studies investigating the association between iron status and physical fitness components in adolescents from low- and middle-income countries, we aimed to determine the association of iron status with selected physical fitness components in South African adolescents. A cross-sectional study design, including 178 adolescents (102 girls and 76 boys) from the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS), was followed. Height and weight were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Subsequently, WHO BMI-for-age-specific categorised body fatness. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined with a 20-m shuttle run test (V ̇O2max), and lower-body explosive power by the standing broad jump (SBJ). Fasting haemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin were analysed from blood samples. Correlation analyses determine the association between iron status, explosive power and cardiorespiratory fitness. Of the 178 participants, 18.5% ( n = 33) had low Hb, and 14% ( n = 25) iron deficiency without anaemia. Significant positive correlations were found between the selected physical fitness components, ferritin, and Hb. In boys, a positive association was found between Hb and SBJ ( r = 0.30, p = 0.006), whilst in girls, positive associations were found between ferritin ( r = 0.25, p = 0.04) and SBJ, and Hb with both SBJ ( r = 0.21, p = 0.03) and V ̇O2max ( r = 0.32, p = 0.001). Hb concentration remained associated with V ̇O2max and SBJ in girls after adjustment for age, whilst in boys, Hb concentration was associated with SBJ. Higher iron status in South African adolescents is associated with higher lower-limb explosive power and cardiorespiratory fitness. We suggest monitoring of haematological parameters, and interventions to improve the iron status of South African adolescents

Anemia · Body mass index · Cardiorespiratory fitness · Ferritin · Iron deficiency · Iron status · Multi-stage fitness test · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Demography · Iron Metabolism and Disorders · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Internal Medicine

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