Which of the following athletes would be LEAST likely to develop iron deficiency?
A)a female marathon runner
B)a male distance swimmer
C)a male basketball player who is a vegan
D)a female gymnast

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Male athletes generally have a lower risk of iron deficiency compared to female athletes due to the absence of menstrual blood loss, which is a significant source of iron loss. Among the options, a male distance swimmer would be least likely to develop iron deficiency as swimming is less likely to cause iron loss through mechanisms such as footstrike hemolysis, which is more common in impact sports like running. Additionally, dietary preferences or restrictions (as in the case of the vegan basketball player) and the high physical demands and potential for inadequate dietary intake in sports with weight classes or aesthetic components (like gymnastics) can increase the risk of iron deficiency, making the male distance swimmer the least likely to be affected.

Which of the Following Athletes Would Be LEAST Likely to Develop