This study explores the connection between respiratory efficiency and blood serum iron levels. There are three aims of this study: (1) to evaluate the difference in respiratory efficiency (during rest and after exertion) between low and normal serum iron levels and biochemical variables at rest; (2) to identify those indicators that most contribute to respiratory efficiency (in rest, after exertion); and (3) to establish the relationship between biochemical variables, blood pressure and heart rate and respiratory efficiency, both at rest and following exertion .
Sample : Using a purposeful sampling method, this study recruited fifty-three female students from the College of Basic Education in the State of Kuwait. Participants were allocated to one of two groups according to their serum iron level. Normal serum level of iron was ≥13 ng/ml (n=28). The low serum iron level was ≤12 ng/ml (n=25) .
Method :Tests were conducted to establish each participant's oxygen saturation (SpO2), vital capacity (VC) and biochemistry at rest. Then participants were required to undertake physical activity. They undertook a 10 min warm-up walk on a treadmill set at 6 km/h on 0% incline. Then participants ran at 8 km/h on a 1% incline until they achieved maximum effort. At that point, participants were instructed to jump off the treadmill and the required physiological data was collected immediately.