Relationship between physical activity and serum ferritin levels

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerosis, one of the most important events, is responsible for most of the coronary heart diseases and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfavorable lipid profile, smoking and lack of physical activity are well known risk factors. Serum ferritin, the stored form iron, provides free iron for lipidperoxidation and formation of foam cells of atheroma, is currently being listed as a new modifiable risk factor. To find out any relationship between serum ferritin and physical activity. Material And 45 physically active and 49 non-active, male aged 18 to 65 were selected by convenient sampling. Physically active subjects were divided into two groups, maximally active and moderately active. Blood sample was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking for the detection of serum ferritin by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. The serum ferritin in physically non active subjects was found to be 205.5 +/- 18.2 ng/ml and in active subjects 168.4 +/- 26.56ng/ml which is weakly negative and non significant [P<0.246]. Became highly significant [P<0.003] when confounders were added. Results were evaluated on SPSS 7.5 Physical activity decreases the serum ferritin. Moderate physical activities are more important in lowering of serum ferritin than heavy