RESUMO
Background: Iron is a trace mineral that plays a significant role in oxygen transport and energy production during exercise. In deficiency, iron can have a significant negative impact on sports performance. Due to its relative simplicity, supplementation is a common treatment to combat deficiency. However, there is a paucity of analyses combining supplementation with dietary education as a method of treatment. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a systematic iron intervention combining nutrition education and supplementation stages to combat low ferritin levels in collegiate runners. Methods: Twenty four distance runners (13 women; 11 men; 19.5 ± 0.8 years of age) were measured for serum ferritin, daily iron, calcium and vitamin C intake at the start of the fall semester and again after 100 days of supplementation. A dependent groups t-test was applied to delineate changes in Ferritin levels and iron, vitamin C and calcium intake. Alpha levels were maintained a priori at p < 0.05. Results: Ferritin levels averaged 40.0 ± 22.6â ng/mL in Fall and 33.7 ± 14.7â ng/mL in Spring. There were no statistical differences in ferritin levels from Fall to Spring (p = 0.074). Weekly Iron intake (# of foods) significantly increased from Fall (110.8 ± 43.1) to Spring (123.3 ± 43.9), (p = 0.028). There were no significant changes in Vitamin C or Calcium intake between time points (p = 0.441), (p = 0.901). Conclusion: We found no significant differences in serum ferritin measures but dietary intake of iron increased as a result of the intervention.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Talent identification traditionally relies on the knowledge and perceptions of expert coaches to identify and predict potential future elite athletes. Experiential coach knowledge is a valuable source of information to guide research in this ill-defined and under-researched area. This review aims to synthesize current empirical understanding of coach knowledge as it relates to decision making in talent identification. DESIGN: This systematic review and meta-synthesis used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify relevant literature. METHODS: Eligible studies were critically appraised for quality, and key findings from the 14 studies were integrated to allow for thematic analysis. RESULTS: The meta-synthesis revealed the key theme of 'instinct' as the primary contributor to coach decisions during talent identification. Subordinate themes informing coach instinct were 'drive and ambition', 'game intelligence' and 'physical and technical skills'. CONCLUSIONS: Coaches appear to make decisions about talent based on their tacit knowledge or instinct. Understanding how coaches develop these instinctual 'feelings' may guide future research into talent identification and enhance our understanding of how experiential coach knowledge is developed and utilised in the daily training environment.
