Iron Deficiency in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review of Health Consequences, Performance Impairments, and Evidence-Based Management Strategies Impact of Iron Deficiency on Female Athletes

Abstract

Background: In female groups, especially adolescent female endurance athletes, iron deficiency is most vulnerable. This may impair health functions and performance as well. Objectives: To examine the physiological mechanisms, prevalence, and health and performance indicators of iron-deficient female football players. Those examinations are strategized through practical nutritional techniques.
Methods: For this systematic review, PROSPERO registration was done. In this review, various searches such as “PubMed,” “Sport Discus,” “Scopus,” “ProQuest,” “Google Scholar” are used. Many terms, such as blood iron level, food, supplement, exercise, and exercise-induced hormones, are combined using Boolean operators (AND, OR).
Results and Discussion: Menstrual losses, exercise causing hemolysis, Gl bleeding, sweating, and inflammation mediated elevations in hepcidin after intense prolong exercise are some of the variables, responsible to deficiency of iron (ID) and deficiency of iron with anaemia (IDA). For the reason of high intensity prolonged exercise in football sports, female players are more exposed to deficiency of iron and deficiency of iron with anaemia. These responsible elements impede healing, risk of injury, and lower aerobic performance in female athletes. One important, yet sometimes overlooked, element affecting female football players’ health and performance is iron deficiency.
Conclusion: Regular evaluations, diet modification, and tailored supplementation are more crucial for enhancing iron status and attaining improved performance.