A1 Journal article (refereed)
Haemoglobin, iron status and lung function of adolescents participating in organised sports in the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club Study (2020)

Toivo, K., Kannus, P., Kokko, S., Alanko, L., Heinonen, O. J., Korpelainen, R., Savonen, K., Selänne, H., Vasankari, T., Kannas, L., Kujala, U. M., Villberg, J., Niemelä, O., & Parkkari, J. (2020). Haemoglobin, iron status and lung function of adolescents participating in organised sports in the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club Study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1), Article e000804. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000804

JYU authors or editors

Kokko, Sami
Kannas, Lasse
Kujala, Urho
Villberg, Jari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Toivo, Kerttu; Kannus, Pekka; Kokko, Sami; Alanko, Lauri; Heinonen, Olli J.; Korpelainen, Raija; Savonen, Kai; Selänne, Harri; Vasankari, Tommi; Kannas, Lasse; et al.

Journal or series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

eISSN: 2055-7647

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 6

Issue number: 1

Article number: e000804

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000804

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72405

Publication is parallel published: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7520547/

Abstract

Objectives: To compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume spirometry were performed on SP youths (199 boys, 203 girls) and their NP peers (62 boys, 114 girls) aged 14-17.

Results: Haemoglobin concentration <120/130 g/L was found in 5.8% of SP and 5.1% NP (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.68). Ferritin concentration below 15 µg/L was found in 22.7% of both SP and NP girls. Among boys ferritin <30 µg/L was found in 26.5% of SP and 30.2% of NP (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.47). Among SP iron supplement use was reported by 3.5% of girls and 1.5% of boys. In flow-volume spirometry with bronchodilation test, 7.0% of SP and 6.4% of NP had asthma-like findings (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.54); those using asthma medication, that is, 9.8% of SP and 5.2% of NP were excluded from the analysis.

Conclusions: Screening for iron deficiency is recommended for symptomatic persons and persons engaging in sports. Lung function testing is recommended for symptomatic persons and persons participating in sports in which asthma is more prevalent.

Keywords: young people; athletes; sports medicine; hemoglobin; ferritin; asthma

Free keywords: adolescent; asthma; iron metabolism; sports & exercise medicine

Fields of science: