Plausible ergogenic effects of vitamin D on athletic performance and recovery
Open accessAbstract
The purpose of this review is to examine vitamin D in the context of sport nutrition and its potential role in optimizing athletic performance. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) and vitamin D response elements (VDREs) are located in almost every tissue within the human body including skeletal muscle. The hormonally-active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, has been shown to play critical roles in the human body and regulates over 900 gene variants. Based on the literature presented, it is plausible that vitamin D levels above the normal reference range (up to 100 nmol/L) might increase skeletal muscle function, decrease recovery time from training, increase both force and power production, and increase testosterone production, each of which could potentiate athletic performance. Therefore, maintaining higher levels of vitamin D could prove beneficial for athletic performance. Despite this situation, large portions of athletic populations are vitamin D deficient. Currently, the research is inconclusive with regards to the optimal intake of vitamin D, the specific forms of vitamin D one should ingest, and the distinct nutrient-nutrient interactions of vitamin D with vitamin K that affect arterial calcification and hypervitaminosis. Furthermore, it is possible that dosages exceeding the recommendations for vitamin D (i.e. dosages up to 4000-5000 IU/day), in combination with 50 to 1000 mcg/day of vitamin K1 and K2 could aid athletic performance. This review will investigate these topics, and specifically their relevance to athletic performance.
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Vitamin D supplementation could influence VO2max values given that CYP enzymes that activate vitamin D3 have proteins with heme groups, which could potentially increase the affinity of oxygen binding to hemoglobin.
“For that reason, vitamin D supplementation could influence VO2max values given that CYP enzymes that activate vitamin D3 have proteins with heme groups, which could potentially increase the affinity of oxygen binding to hemoglobin [5].”
From Influence of Sunlight and Oral D3 Supplementation on Serum 25(OH)D Concentration and Exercise Performance in Elite Soccer Players (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
The “Maximal oxygen uptake” section proposes that vitamin D3-activating CYP enzymes contain heme proteins and could potentially affect oxygen’s binding affinity to hemoglobin. It also reports a supplementation trial with increased VO2max. The paper does not specify that the proposed mechanism would increase binding affinity, as the citing sentence claims. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured1.25(OH)2D is involved in muscular development and function, control of hormonal systems and control of inflammation and tissue and muscle damage.
“1.25(OH)2D, as a biological active form of 25(OH)D, is involved in muscular development and function, control of hormonal systems and control of inflammation and tissue and muscle damage [5].”
From Influence of Sunlight and Oral D3 Supplementation on Serum 25(OH)D Concentration and Exercise Performance in Elite Soccer Players (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Emerging data suggest that vitamin D supplementation aimed at achieving serum concentrations above the reference value may augment increases in skeletal muscle mass, function, decrease recovery time from exercise, and increase both power and force production in older adults.
“In addition to restoring deficient levels, data are also emerging to suggest that vitamin D supplementation aimed at achieving serum concentrations above the reference value may augment increases in skeletal muscle mass, function, decrease recovery time from exercise, and increase both power and force production in older adults [284,297,298].”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [298]
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References 118 · Cited by 151
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [40]Koundourakis NE, Androulakis NE, Malliaraki N, Margioris AN. Relation of vitamin D level to maximal oxygen uptake in adults. Am J Cardiol. 2011;107:1246–9. PMC4460985 21349488
- [81]Ross AC Taylor CL Yaktine AL 2011 Calcium Vitamin D Valle HB Del 21796828
- [82]Endocrine S Evalutation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An endocrine society clinical practice guideline 2011 21646368
- Authors
- Dahlquist, D. T., Dieter, B. P., & Koehle, M. S.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center (US)
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Koehle, Michael S.
- Venue
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2015-10-20
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 33-33
- ISSN
- 1550-2783 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4539891
- OpenAlex
- W2143366406
- Cited by
- 151
- References
- 118
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 10
- FWCI
- 1.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- vitamin D, athletic performance, vitamin D receptor, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, skeletal muscle function, testosterone production, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin K, arterial calcification, hypervitaminosis, vitamin D supplementation
- MeSH terms
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Humans, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamin K, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements, Muscle Strength, Athletic Performance, Performance-Enhancing Substances, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
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