Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
Background: Vitamin D is important for overall bone health, muscle function, and injury prevention, especially in female athletes who may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency that are limited to sunlight exposure, high training demands, and dietary intake. In young female athletes and adults, the relationship between vitamin D and bone mineral density (BMD) is not clear. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to review current evidence on the relationship between vitamin D levels and bone health in female athletes and adults. Methods: Four cross-sectional studies were included: Fields et al., Brännström et al., Lim et al., and Jakse et al. The studies evaluated vitamin D levels in connection with bone mineral density, body composition, and muscle performance. Across the studies, participants included female collegiate athletes, female college students, and female adolescent athletes. Main outcomes measured were the blood concentration levels of vitamin D serum, and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was found to be common in young female athletes and adults. According to one study, most participants had normal or above-average BMD, even with low vitamin D levels, especially in high-impact sports. Another study did identify lower vitamin D levels in obese young female adults than those of healthy weight. There was only a limited association between vitamin D and muscle performance that was observed in the studies. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is common among young female athletes and adults. Although the literature found a weak relationship between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density, it is recommended that vitamin D supplementation, healthy exposure to sunlight, and healthy intake of carbohydrates be used as a preventative measure to promote bone health and increase health status in female athletes and non-athletes. However, due to small sample sizes and design of the studies, further longitudinal and additional contemporary, high-quality research is warranted to strengthen current recommendations and understand the relationship between vitamin D, bone health, and musculoskeletal performance among young females.
Vitamin D Relation to Bone Mineral Density in Female Athletes: Critically Appraised Topic
Theoretical Proposal
Background: Vitamin D is important for overall bone health, muscle function, and injury prevention, especially in female athletes who may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency that are limited to sunlight exposure, high training demands, and dietary intake. In young female athletes and adults, the relationship between vitamin D and bone mineral density (BMD) is not clear. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to review current evidence on the relationship between vitamin D levels and bone health in female athletes and adults. Methods: Four cross-sectional studies were included: Fields et al., Brännström et al., Lim et al., and Jakse et al. The studies evaluated vitamin D levels in connection with bone mineral density, body composition, and muscle performance. Across the studies, participants included female collegiate athletes, female college students, and female adolescent athletes. Main outcomes measured were the blood concentration levels of vitamin D serum, and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was found to be common in young female athletes and adults. According to one study, most participants had normal or above-average BMD, even with low vitamin D levels, especially in high-impact sports. Another study did identify lower vitamin D levels in obese young female adults than those of healthy weight. There was only a limited association between vitamin D and muscle performance that was observed in the studies. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is common among young female athletes and adults. Although the literature found a weak relationship between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density, it is recommended that vitamin D supplementation, healthy exposure to sunlight, and healthy intake of carbohydrates be used as a preventative measure to promote bone health and increase health status in female athletes and non-athletes. However, due to small sample sizes and design of the studies, further longitudinal and additional contemporary, high-quality research is warranted to strengthen current recommendations and understand the relationship between vitamin D, bone health, and musculoskeletal performance among young females.
