IMPACT OF AEROBIC EXERCISES ON IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN GIRLS

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia has recently been ranked as the third leading cause worldwide of loss of disability-adjusted life years for women aged from 15 to 44 years. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic exercises on anemia in girls. Participants and methods: Thirty girls participated in this study, their age ranged from 17 to 22 years. They were divided randomly into two groups equal in number: Study group (group A) performed aerobic exercises in form of bicycling (60-70% of HR max), 30 minutes for each treatment session, for 3 sessions per week, for 12 weeks in addition to iron supplement (Ferro-6) and Control group (group B) received only iron supplement (Ferro-6) for 12 weeks. All participants in both groups (A and B) were assessed pre-and post-treatment through measuring hemoglobin level by blood analysis and scores of total symptoms of anemia by self-administered questionnaire. Results: The results showed that there was a non-statistical significant difference of Hb level between both groups (A and B) post-treatment, where the p values were (>0.05). Although, the percentage of improvement of Hb level was higher in group (A) (8.58%) than in group (B) (5.23%).There was highly statistical significant decrease in scores of total symptoms of anemia and scores of fatigue in group (A) post-treatment when compared with group (B) where the p values were (< 0.01). Also, the percentage of improvement in the total symptoms of anemia was higher in group (A) (42.9%) than in group (B) (16.7%). The percentage of improvement in scores of fatigue was higher in group (A) (50%). Conclusion: It could be concluded that adding aerobic exercises to medication has better effect on Hb level and scores of total symptoms of anemia than medication only.