Seasonal variation in vitamin D status, bone health and athletic performance in competitive university student athletes: a longitudinal study. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson-Barnes, Saskia L.; Hunt, Julie E. A.; Williams, Emma L.; Allison, Sarah J.; Wild, James J.; Wainwright, Joe; Lanham-New, Susan A.; Manders, Ralph J. F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutritional science. Volume 9(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Vitamin D, -- University athletes, -- Bone, -- Muscle strength, -- Athletic performance, -- Physiology; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 612.305
• DOI: 10.1017/jns.2020.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-6790

Abstract

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34 % of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.