Metabolic responses during a standardized, progressive, maximal work capacity test on a cycle ergometer were studied in 11 women, mean age 28 (SEM 2) years, at admission to the study, after their body iron stores were depleted by diet, phlebotomy and menstruation for about 80 days and after iron repletion by diet for about 100 days, including daily iron supplementation (0.9 mmol iron as ferrous sulfate) for the last 14 days of repletion. Iron depletion was characterized by a decline (P less than 0.05) in hemoglobin, ferritin and body iron balance. Iron repletion, including supplementation, increased (P less than 0.05) hemoglobin, ferritin and iron balance. No changes were observed in cardiovascular and ventilatory responses or peak oxygen uptake. Iron depletion was associated with a reduced (P less than 0.05) rate of oxygen utilization, total oxygen uptake and aerobic energy expenditure, and elevated (P less than 0.05) peak respiratory exchange ratio and post-exercise concentration of lactate. Reduction of body iron stores without overt anemia affects exercise metabolism by reducing total aerobic energy production and increasing glycolytic metabolism.