Effect of low energy availability during three consecutive days of endurance training on iron metabolism in male long distance runners

Abstract

We investigated the effect of low energy availability (LEA) during three consecutive days of endurance training on muscle glycogen content and iron metabolism. Six male long distance runners completed three consecutive days of endurance training under LEA or neutral energy availability (NEA) conditions. Energy availability was set at 20 kcal/kg fat‐free mass (FFM)/day for LEA and 45 kcal/kg FFM/day for NEA. The subjects ran for 75 min at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake ( $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O _2max) on days 1–3. Venous blood samples were collected following an overnight fast on days 1–4, immediately and 3 hr after exercise on day 3. The muscle glycogen content on days 1–4 was evaluated by carbon‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In LEA condition, the body weight and muscle glycogen content on days 2–4, and the FFM on days 2 and 4 were significantly lower than those on day1 ( p < .05 vs. day1), whereas no significant change was observed throughout the training period in NEA condition. On day 3, muscle glycogen content before exercise was negatively correlated with serum iron level (immediately after exercise, 3 hr after exercise), serum hepcidin level immediately after exercise, and plasma IL‐6 level immediately after exercise ( p < .05). Moreover, serum hepcidin level on day 4 was significantly higher in LEA condition than that in NEA condition ( p < .05). In conclusion, three consecutive days of endurance training under LEA reduced the muscle glycogen content with concomitant increased serum hepcidin levels in male long distance runners.

Abstract

Three consecutive days of endurance training under low energy availability (LEA) decreased the muscle glycogen content and increased the serum hepcidin level in well‐trained male long distance runners. These results suggest that LEA is associated with a risk of exercise‐induced iron deficiency by an elevated hepcidin level in endurance athletes.