Vitamin D and Athletic Performance: Key findings from a study of elite German athletes

A recent study published in European Journal of Applied Physiology highlights a significant prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among German elite athletes. The research, led by Sebastian Hacker and colleagues, analyzed the vitamin D status of 474 athletes across ten Olympic sports and explored factors influencing their serum 25(OH)D levels.

The study revealed a positive association between vitamin D levels and handgrip strength, an indicator of overall muscle function. Athletes with higher vitamin D levels exhibited greater grip strength, suggesting that optimizing vitamin D intake could enhance athletic performance.

High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency

The study found that over half (55.5%) of the athletes had insufficient vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL), with 16% showing levels below 20 ng/mL, a threshold often considered deficient. Given vitamin D’s crucial role in muscle function, bone health, and overall performance, these findings underscore the importance of monitoring and managing vitamin D intake among athletes.

What Affects Vitamin D Levels?

Several factors influenced the athletes’ vitamin D status, including:

Genetics: Certain variations of the vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) gene were linked to higher serum 25(OH)D levels.
Age: Older athletes tended to have higher vitamin D levels.
Training Environment: Outdoor athletes had significantly higher levels compared to those training indoors.
Seasonality: As expected, levels were higher in summer and lower in winter, reinforcing the need for seasonal supplementation strategies.

Click here to view the study.

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