Iron status of female Gaelic Games athletes, and validity of a field-based iron assessment screening tool.

My name is Nóra Ní Fhlannagáin and I am a researcher at ATU Galway City. I am recruiting volunteers to take part in a research
study. The first aim of this study is to assess the iron status of female Gaelic Games athletes, and to assess the validity of two
screening tools – a questionnaire and finger prick blood sample as compared to a venous blood sample. The second aim is to see if an iron supplement can restore or maintain iron levels in athletes throughout the season, and whether that impacts their training. This participant information sheet outlines what the study involves and what will be required of you if you choose to volunteer to participate.

What is the purpose of this study?

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia can negatively effect exercise performance. There is no data to show how many female Gaelic Games athletes have iron deficiency – we want to see if iron deficiency is as common in Camogie and Ladies Football, as in other sports (15-30%) which will then help to inform screening programmes and treatment, and ultimately improve performance for female Gaelic Games athletes. We also want to see if cheap and easy to use methods of screening for iron deficiency, like a questionnaire and a finger prick blood sample are valid when compared to the gold-standard which is a venous blood sample. Finally, if deficient, we want to see how long it takes to bring your iron stores back to normal and how that might impact your physical performance.

What will be required of you?

1. Fill out the questionnaire.

2. Attend the testing location in a rested (no training for 24hrs) and well-hydrated state (straw-coloured pee) to provide a fingerprick and a venous blood sample which will be sent away to check your iron status. This will take roughly 15 minutes.

3. Give consent for us to access your endurance testing and strength testing information from the team S&C.

4. If you are deficient, take the iron supplements that we provide for 8-12 weeks, and continue to do your normal training. If you're sufficient you may also be selected to take a low-dose iron supplement for 8-12 weeks to see if this maintains your iron levels throughout the season.

5. Come back to get your bloods checked again, do another short gut-health questionnaire, and complete a repeat endurance and strength test with your S&C to see if your results have changed.

What will happen to the information that is collected about me and my blood samples?

The information gathered from the study will be handled in complete confidence. Results of the participants as well as their
confidentiality are the first priority of the researchers carrying out the study. All data collected will be stored safely, securely and
confidentially. Only the researchers will have access to the data, which includes the doctor in this study who provides medical oversight.

It is up to you whether you share your iron status results with your coaches and your own GP. There is an optional consent below, which you can tick if you would like us to share your questionnaire results and your blood results directly with your team nutritionist who may share them with your coaches/management, however this is your personal data and you are not required to share it with the team nutritionist or management.

All personal data will be destroyed, and only anonymised results will be analysed. When the study is finished, information will be kept on the Nóra Ní Fhlannagáin’s computer that is encrypted and password-protected.

Fingerprick blood samples will be disposed of immediately in biological waste bins.

Venous samples will be sent for analysis to a third-party lab (Randox Health) stored in temperature-monitored cold storage and disposed of as clinical waste. Following analysis of third-party samples, a residual sample is kept for 7 days before disposal.

What are the benefits?

It’s important for female athletes to check their iron status regularly. You will get your iron status checked and compared
to athlete guidelines. If you’re low in iron, you’ll get free iron supplements and dietary advice to replenish your stores.

What are the risks?

There are risks associated with taking blood – both venous and finger prick samples. Complications are not common, but include fainting, bruising, nerve damage, and infection. Our trained phlebotomist and researchers will reduce the risks by maintaining safe blood-handling procedures, using single-use lancets and having a trained first-aider on hand.

What if you change your mind during the study?

Please be aware that individuals who volunteer to takepart in the study have the right to withdraw from the project at any time
without the need to provide a reason or notice period. Should you feel at any stage that you want to stop taking part in the study, then this is dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner.

What happens at the end of the study?

At the end of the study, the data gathered will be analysed and submitted for publication in an academic journal, and as part of two MSc theses. A summary of the results will be provided to all Gaelic Games teams who participate. All data will be held securely, in line with GDPR regulations, for a period of ten years, as per the ATU records retention policy.

What if you have more questions or do not understand something?

It is important that you feel completely at ease during the research. If you do not understand any aspect of the research, please contact me to discuss any questions that you might have. Alternatively, you may contact the Head of Department, if you wish to speak to someone independent from the study.

Researcher: Nóra Ní Fhlannagáin

Email: nora.nifhlannagain@atu.ie

Phone: 0857360386

Head of Department : Damien Costello

Email: Damien.costello@atu.ie

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I would be grateful if you would consider participating in this study.

Yours sincerely,

Name: Nóra NíFhlannagáin

Date: 21/01/25

Contact Details: 085 7360386 nora.nifhlannagain@atu.ie

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