CompletedNot Applicable

Treadmill Aerobic Training and Quality of Life in Anemic Females

Egypt60 participantsStarted 2025-11-15

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of an 8-week structured treadmill aerobic training program on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in young adult females diagnosed with mild-to-moderate iron deficiency anemia. Sixty participants are randomly allocated into two equal groups of thirty. Group A (Experimental) receives standard daily oral iron therapy combined with a supervised moderate-intensity treadmill exercise program 3 times per week (30-40 minutes at 60-70% maximum heart rate). Group B (Control) receives standard oral iron therapy with no structured exercise. The study primary outcome measures the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) using the modified submaximal 3-minute Harvard Step Test, alongside secondary quality of life outcomes (SF-12 questionnaire), to prove that active cardiovascular training reverses physical deconditioning where iron supplements alone fall short.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 28 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 to 28 years. * Biological females. * Clinically diagnosed with mild-to-moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), documented by laboratory Complete Blood Count (CBC) showing Hemoglobin (Hb) levels strictly between 9.0 and 12.0 g/dL, and serum ferritin levels ranging from 15 to 150 ng/mL. * Hemodynamically stable and medically cleared to safely participate in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. * Regularly receiving physician-prescribed standard medical care (e.g., oral iron supplementation) Exclusion Criteria: * Severe anemia (Hemoglobin levels below 9.0 g/dL). * Pregnancy or lactation. * Chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma or COPD. * Acute or chronic cardiovascular instability (e.g., severe arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, or structural heart disease). * Affected by chronic diseases or adhering to regular medication regimens (other than prescribed iron). * Neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that mechanically limit the ability to walk on a treadmill or perform the step test safely. * Experiencing acute illness, systemic infection, menorrhagia, irregular menstruation, or fever at the time of the study. * Active participation in other structured, vigorous athletic training programs. * Cognitive impairment affecting patient cooperation or the ability to understand the study questionnaires

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial looked at treadmill aerobic exercise specifically in females with iron deficiency anemia — given my own IDA diagnosis, is exercise-based intervention something that could realistically help improve my physical fitness and quality of life alongside my current treatment?
2The trial measured both physical and mental components of quality of life using the SF-12 scale — do you know whether the results showed meaningful improvements in either area, and would those findings be relevant to what I'm experiencing day-to-day?
3Since this study is listed as Phase NA and is now completed, does that mean the approach was more about testing a non-drug lifestyle intervention rather than a new medication, and how does that change what we can conclude about its safety and effectiveness?
4This trial focused on treadmill aerobic training — given that iron deficiency anemia can cause fatigue and low energy, is it safe for someone at my current level of anemia to take on a structured exercise program, or should my iron levels be better controlled first?
5Are there already established standard treatments for my iron deficiency anemia that I should prioritize, and could adding an aerobic exercise component like the one in this trial complement those treatments rather than replace them?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Physical Fitness Index (PFI)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07651098

SponsorCairo University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-01-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 28 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Physical Fitness Index (PFI)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (8 weeks)