Author(s): TSUKAHARA, Y., TORII, S., KAMADA, H., YAMASAWA, F., Institution: TOKYO WOMENS COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 178

INTRODUCTION:
In 2017, Japan Association of Athletics Federations published a guideline to ban unnecessary iron injection, which has been suspected to be an ongoing practice for a long time, particularly in Japanese long distance (LD) runners, because many coaches consider it a performance-enhancing aid. Athletes with intense training regimes, including LD runners, are at risk of developing anemia, defined as blood hemoglobin levels below 14 g/dL and 12 g/dL in men and women, respectively, which requires treatment. However, needless to say, receiving iron injections without being diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia is not appropriate from both health and ethics standpoints.
METHODS:
An anonymous survey was conducted on male and female athletes competing at the national level. Athletes answered questions related to their personal background and whether they had previously received iron injections. Chi-squared test was performed to assess the differences between athletes who had received iron injections and those who had not. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with receiving iron injections.
RESULTS:
In total, 15.4% and 10.7% of the female and male athletes, respectively, answered that they had received iron injections in the past. Further, 38.0 % and 25.6 % of the female and male athletes, respectively, had a history of anemia. The body mass index was lower in both female and male athletes who had received iron injections than in those who had not. Logistic regression analysis revealed that having been diagnosed with anemia and getting blood tests at least once a year were factors related to receiving iron injections in male athletes, whereas taking nutritional supplements was the only related factor in female athletes.
CONCLUSION:
Athletes and coaches should be aware of iron deficiency and anemia treatments and acknowledge that receiving iron injections without a blood test is inappropriate and could expose athletes to risks. Sports medicine physicians and sports organizations should raise awareness related to these problems to protect the athletes. A total of 15.4% and 10.7% of female and male Japanese track and field athletes, respectively, competing at a national level, stated that they had received iron injections. Since some received the injection without any blood tests, athletes and coaches should be aware of the risks of receiving iron injections without proper diagnosis.