Analyse how iron deficiency anemia impacts both submaximal and maximal exercise performance, and explain two strategies that could be implemented to minimise these effects. (5 marks)
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Sample Answer
Reduced oxygen carrying capacity effects:
- Iron deficiency reduces hemoglobin concentration, significantly decreasing the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to working muscles during both rest and exercise.
Impact on aerobic energy system:
- The reduced oxygen delivery to muscles forces greater reliance on anaerobic energy systems, leading to earlier onset of fatigue and increased lactate production during exercise.
Increased heart rate at submaximal intensities:
- To compensate for reduced oxygen carrying capacity, the heart rate increases more than normal at any given submaximal workload to maintain adequate oxygen delivery to tissues.
Decreased VO2 max:
- Maximum oxygen uptake is significantly reduced due to the limited oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, typically decreasing by 10 – 20% depending on the severity of anemia.
Dietary iron supplementation strategy:
- Iron supplementation should be prescribed by a healthcare provider, typically starting with 65 – 100mg of elemental iron daily, preferably in the form of ferrous sulfate.
Timing of iron-rich meals with vitamin C:
- Iron-rich foods (like lean red meat, legumes, and leafy greens) alongside vitamin C sources (citrus fruits, bell peppers) enhances iron absorption by up to 300%.
Training modifications during treatment:
- Exercise intensity and duration should be reduced during initial treatment phases, with a gradual return to normal training loads as hemoglobin levels improve over 4 – 8 weeks.
Sample Answer
Reduced oxygen carrying capacity effects:
- Iron deficiency reduces hemoglobin concentration, significantly decreasing the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to working muscles during both rest and exercise.
Impact on aerobic energy system:
- The reduced oxygen delivery to muscles forces greater reliance on anaerobic energy systems, leading to earlier onset of fatigue and increased lactate production during exercise.
Increased heart rate at submaximal intensities:
- To compensate for reduced oxygen carrying capacity, the heart rate increases more than normal at any given submaximal workload to maintain adequate oxygen delivery to tissues.
Decreased VO2 max:
- Maximum oxygen uptake is significantly reduced due to the limited oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, typically decreasing by 10 – 20% depending on the severity of anemia.
Dietary iron supplementation strategy:
- Iron supplementation should be prescribed by a healthcare provider, typically starting with 65 – 100mg of elemental iron daily, preferably in the form of ferrous sulfate.
Timing of iron-rich meals with vitamin C:
- Iron-rich foods (like lean red meat, legumes, and leafy greens) alongside vitamin C sources (citrus fruits, bell peppers) enhances iron absorption by up to 300%.
Training modifications during treatment:
- Exercise intensity and duration should be reduced during initial treatment phases, with a gradual return to normal training loads as hemoglobin levels improve over 4 – 8 weeks.