25(OH)D3 Levels Relative to Muscle Strength and Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Athletes
Abstract Vitamin D is mainly known for its effects on the bone and calcium metabolism. The discovery of Vitamin D receptors in many extraskeletal cells suggests that it may also play a significant role in other organs and systems. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between 25(OH)D3 levels, lower limb isokinetic strength and maximum oxygen uptake in well trained professional football players. We enrolled 43 Polish premier league soccer players. The mean age was 22.7+ 5.3 years. Our study showed decreased serum 25(OH)D3 levels in 74.4% of the professional players. The results also demonstrated a lack of statistically significant correlation between 25(OH)D3 levels and lower limb muscle strength with the exception of peak torque of the left knee extensors at an angular velocity of 150deg/s (r=0.41) No significant correlations were found between hand grip strength and maximum oxygen uptake. Based on our study we concluded that in well trained professional soccer players, there was no correlation between serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and muscle strength or maximum oxygen uptake.
Journal of human kinetics