Explain why iron requirements differ between endurance athletes and recreational athletes. (4 marks)
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Sample Answer
- Endurance athletes have higher iron requirements because prolonged aerobic exercise demands continuous oxygen delivery to muscles.
- Iron forms haemoglobin which transports oxygen. Therefore, endurance athletes need more iron to maintain adequate haemoglobin levels for sustained aerobic metabolism.
- Heavy training causes iron loss through sweating and muscle damage, resulting in greater depletion than recreational athletes experience.
- Female endurance athletes face additional losses through menstruation. This leads to even higher iron requirements to prevent fatigue and performance decline.
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Sample Answer
- Endurance athletes have higher iron requirements because prolonged aerobic exercise demands continuous oxygen delivery to muscles.
- Iron forms haemoglobin which transports oxygen. Therefore, endurance athletes need more iron to maintain adequate haemoglobin levels for sustained aerobic metabolism.
- Heavy training causes iron loss through sweating and muscle damage, resulting in greater depletion than recreational athletes experience.
- Female endurance athletes face additional losses through menstruation. This leads to even higher iron requirements to prevent fatigue and performance decline.