Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function, bone health, and potentially athletic performance. This study assessed the influence of gender, body composition and predominant training environment on the Vitamin D status of Western Australian athletes. Additionally, associations between Vitamin D status and recent injury / health status, or sun protection practices were investigated. Method: Seventy-two athletes were recruited to participate in this study. Athletes underwent an anthropometric assessment, provided a venous blood sample for the assessment of Vitamin D (25(OH)D) status, and filled out a questionnaire relating to their recent training and injury history, and their routine sun protection practices. The athlete cohort were then divided by predominant training environment as either indoor, outdoor, or mixed training environment athletes. Results: The average 25(OH)D levels of the group were 111 ± 37 nmol/L. There were no differences between genders; however, it was noted that the levels of the indoor training group were significantly lower than those of the outdoor, and the mixed training groups (p<0.05). Despite these differences, the 25(OH)D levels of all groups was within a range considered healthy, with only 4.2% of the entire population (n=3) presenting a Vitamin D deficiency. Further analysis showed that all 3 deficient athletes were members of the indoor training group (8.3% of this population). Significant correlations suggested that older, heavier and taller athletes had higher 25(OH)D levels. Furthermore, higher 25(OH)D levels were associated with a greater body composition; however, lower 25(OH)D levels were associated with a greater number of daily training hours. Finally, there were no associations between the 25(OH)D levels and the incidence of injury, illness or sun protection practice. Discussion: The results of this investigation show that the Vitamin D status of Western Australian athletes may not be an issue over the summer months. The significant correlations between the anthropometric markers and the higher 25(OH)D levels are likely due to the outdoor athletes (i.e. rowers and kayakers) encountering more sun exposure, whilst being significantly taller, heavier and older than their indoor counterparts (i.e. gymnasts and divers). Although within a healthy range, the significant differences in 25(OH)D levels between outdoor and indoor trained athletes should be considered, and as such coaches or medical practitioners working with indoor trained athletes may wish to monitor their Vitamin D levels at regular intervals throughout the year (i.e. with the change in season), to avoid any possibilities of a deficiency.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Julkaistu Tekijä Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator