[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: ww
Date: 1/14/2003
Time: 11:04:40 PM
Remote Name: 213.249.145.174
Thanks Ian
Point number one:
As you say excessive amounts of iron does not improve performance.It can only bring you up to 'normal' levels- it isnt a dietary equivalent of Altitude training.
Point number two:
It is difficult to determine what 'adequate' is...even taking into account the various medical/mathmatical equations that currently exist in terms of ingestion levels.
There will be differing absorbtion AND loss rates / capacities among athletes and this is to a great extent dependant on:
a)What other food stuffs they are eating.( ie foods that aid/hinders absorbtion , the type of iron ingested,how its cooked,stored etc etc)
b) How the athletes are responding to differing training loads and methods. For example interval training and excessive road running MAY have a greater potential for red cell destruction etc.
The sequencing and balance of training programmes can also take time to establish and even then can occasionally hit rocky ground as we sometimes try to test the boundaries.This will effect what 'adequate' is.
I agree that perhaps the 'best' form of iron is that which is in its natural form in certain high iron foods ,and there is always a debate over the absorbtion qualities of synthetically produced iron supplements.However i HAVE found iron supplementation in its 'synthetic' form to be of benefit.
Because it is sometimes difficult to monitor and account/control for the effects of the variables mentioned in a and b above, i feel it occasionally necessry to:
a)Determine ones current Hb level (and possibly feritin levels) and determine, with medical support,whether these levels fall within the established norms for ATHLETES (though i know that information in this area is sometimes conflicting).Certainly i would raise an eyebrow if they were in the lower range for the GENERAL population norms.
-Incidently of the dozen or more athletes i have had tested for Haemoglobin levels the better performers have had readings of betweem 15.4 and 16.5 (n=9 approx) per 100cc of blood. The worst performers have had ranges from 11.5 to 12.8 (n=3)so that tells us something given the general population norms for males are betweem 12 and 14( or is it 13-15?)-
b)Armed with this information, along with anecdotal 'evidence'obtained through training and performance logs; undertake iron supplementation under medical supervision/ medical advice where necessary.
c)Continue to log and monitor training /racing responses.
d)Have a HB re-test after a specified and medically agreed time span on iron supplementation
e)Discuss the comparisons between test one and test two.Preferably,athlete ,coach and doctor!
f)Make a descision on future levels of iron in- take whether this is through supplementation or natural food stuffs.
Regular blood tests would then take place given the context outlined above maybe every 3-4 months.
There are a whole range of factors which i believe may predispose todays athlete to iron defficiency not least the poor diets that the majority of people appear to follow these days.
The morality of this debate evolves around three main factors as far as i am concerned.
1.Is iron supplementation an accepted practice? I believe very strongly that it is.
2.Does it enhance your performance and provide you with an unfair advantage? I believe very strongly that it doesnt.
3.Are there better(quicker,cheaper,more efficient and manageable) ways of increasing your iron intake than iron supplementation? Quite possibly, let me know when youve found them.
Is it immoral because it gives us an unfair advantage... in my view defineately not!
PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS... PEOPLE SHOULD BE BANNED FOR LIFE AND STRIPPED OF ANY ASSETS ACQUIRED THROUGH ATHLETICS AND LOCKED UP (ONE MONTH WILL DO) AND FINED.
THIS INCLUDES THOSE TAKING RECREATIONAL DRUGS!
WHY DOESNT THIS HAPPEN?
1.DRUG TAKING PROCEDURES ARE FREQUENTLY FLAWED OR IN DEBATE.
2.CIVIL RULES APPLY IRRESPECTIVE OF THE WANTS OF THE 'GUARDIANS' OF INDIVIDUAL SPORTS.
3.THERE EXISTS THE EXERCISING OF HUMAN COMPASSION. (WHICH ISNT A BAD THING AS LONG AS IT DOESNT ADVERSELY EFFECT EVERY ONE ELSE!)
SHOULD WE ALLOW DRUG TAKING AND THEREFORE GIVE EVERYONE THE CHANCE OF PLAYING ON A LEVEL PITCH... YOU MUST BE JOKING!!!