Observation of Altered Iron Status Development During Noncompetitive Season Training in NCAA Division I Female Acrobatics and Tumbling Athletes

ABSTRACT: Pickler, MC, Funderburk, LK, Lee, KM, Bolden, LK, Chapman-Lopez, TJ, Heileson, JL, and Gallucci, AR. Observation of altered iron status development during noncompetitive season training in NCAA Division I female acrobatics & tumbling athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Female athletes are one of the highest at-risk groups for altered iron status development and iron deficiency due to the combination of increased nutrient needs from intense training regimens and inadequate dietary intake. This study examined key iron-related biomarkers [i.e., serum ferritin (SF), hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution] in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (D1) female acrobatics and tumbling athletes (n = 29) over a 2 and a half-month training period (October 1-December 15). Enrolled athletes provided blood samples and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans before and after the noncompetitive season training period. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant differences in body mass (p < 0.001), body fat percentage (p = 0.017), fat-free mass (p < 0.001), SF (p < 0.001), and total protein (p = 0.004). Body mass and fat-free mass significantly increased, while body fat percentage, SF levels, and total protein significantly decreased over the course of noncompetitive season training. Red blood cell, hemoglobin, and RBC-distribution width did not change significantly over the noncompetitive season training period. Most athletes presented with altered and/or deficient iron status before (65%) and after (96%) noncompetitive season training. Future investigators and current practitioners should consider regular iron assessments, especially in at-risk elite athletes and during times of increased training loads.