Iron deficiency and daily physical activity in female military personnel

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency and their relationship with the level of daily physical activity in young female military personnel were assessed. In the Department of Faculty Therapy of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, a cross-sectional study conducted a one-time screening for iron deficiency in 135 healthy young female military personnel. To diagnose iron deficiency conditions, the complete blood count and blood ferritin levels were assessed, and the presence of clinical symptoms of iron deficiency was examined using a questionnaire for the rapid diagnosis of iron deficiency and the level of daily physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In this study, 48 (35.6%) participants were diagnosed with latent iron deficiency, and 46 (34%) were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency was suspected in 16 (39%) women in the healthy group, 28 (58.3%) in the group with latent iron deficiency, and 31 (67.4%) in the group with iron deficiency anemia (p < 0.001). More pronounced symptoms of iron deficiency were significantly confirmed only between the “healthy” group and the group with iron deficiency anemia according to the following indicators: weakness, increased fatigue (p = 0.006), depressive mood (p = 0.007), daytime sleepiness (p = 0.006), heaviness in the lower back at the end of the working day (p = 0.016), dullness, fragility, hair loss, and early gray hair (p < 0.001). The level of daily physical activity indicated the absence of physical inactivity in all study groups. No significant differences in the duration and frequency of daily intense and non-intensive physical activity and duration of walking were found. Thus, iron deficiency conditions are quite common in young female military personnel. Symptoms of iron deficiency appear in latent iron deficiency. Moreover, the presence of iron deficiency does not significantly affect the level of daily physical activity.