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Vitamin D + Athletes. A thread:
In a study on football players attending the NFL combine, inadequate vitamin D levels were present in 59% of participants.
A study on basketball players attending the NBA combine found 32% to be deficient and 47% to be insufficient in vitamin D.
In a study on football players attending the NFL combine, inadequate vitamin D levels were present in 59% of participants.
A study on basketball players attending the NBA combine found 32% to be deficient and 47% to be insufficient in vitamin D.
Multiple studies have shown athletes with darker skin are at higher risk of low levels. One study demonstrated that athletes with high concentrations of melanin in their skin need up to 10x longer UVB exposure times to generate same vitamin D stores as fair-skinned athletes do.
Athletes who have suffered a previous injury (muscle strain, bone fractures) are also found to have significantly lower vitamin D levels.
Those in colder climates with less sun exposure are also at greater risk. Athletes who train indoors or have limited sun exposure during winter months and do not supplement have to rely on their bodies’ vitamin D stores, putting them at risk for deficiency.
Athletes with suboptimal vitamin D levels may be at higher risk of missing practices and games as a result of stress fractures, muscle injuries, and upper respiratory tract infections.
There are some whole foods (ex: cod liver oil, salmon, eggs) that contain vitamin D naturally; however, studies indicate athletes do not come close to meeting the dietary recs. One study found that only 5% of college athletes meet the RDA of 800 IU or 20 mcg/day from food alone.
I recommend vitamin D levels be checked on an annual basis in athletes. If deficient or insufficient, athletes should be supplementing with vitamin D (typically 1000-5000 IU, dose will vary) daily.
