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Cited by 73Vitamin D Research StudiesSports Performance and TrainingExercise and Physiological Responses

Influence of Vitamin D Supplementation by Sunlight or Oral D3 on Exercise Performance

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CARSWELL, ALEXANDER T., OLIVER, SAMUEL J., WENTZ, LAUREL M., KASHI, DANIEL S., ROBERTS, ROSS, TANG, JONATHAN C. Y., IZARD, RACHEL M., JACKSON, SARAH +5 more·2018·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
DOI 10.1249/mss.0000000000001721PMC PMC6282681
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relationship between vitamin D status and exercise performance in a large, prospective cohort study of young men and women across seasons (study 1). Then, in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, to investigate the effects on exercise performance of achieving vitamin D sufficiency (serum 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol·L −1 ) by a unique comparison of safe, simulated-sunlight and oral vitamin D 3 supplementation in wintertime (study 2). Methods: In study 1, we determined 25(OH)D relationship with exercise performance in 967 military recruits. In study 2, 137 men received either placebo, simulated sunlight (1.3× standard erythemal dose in T-shirt and shorts, three times per week for 4 wk and then once per week for 8 wk) or oral vitamin D 3 (1000 IU·d −1 for 4 wk and then 400 IU·d −1 for 8 wk). We measured serum 25(OH)D by high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and endurance, strength and power by 1.5-mile run, maximum dynamic lift and vertical jump, respectively. Results: In study 1, only 9% of men and 36% of women were vitamin D sufficient during wintertime. After controlling for body composition, smoking, and season, 25(OH)D was positively associated with endurance performance ( P ≤ 0.01, Δ R 2 = 0.03–0.06, small f2 effect sizes): 1.5-mile run time was ~half a second faster for every 1 nmol·L −1 increase in 25(OH)D. No significant effects on strength or power emerged ( P > 0.05). In study 2, safe simulated sunlight and oral vitamin D 3 supplementation were similarly effective in achieving vitamin D sufficiency in almost all (97%); however, this did not improve exercise performance ( P > 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D status was associated with endurance performance but not strength or power in a prospective cohort study. Achieving vitamin D sufficiency via safe, simulated summer sunlight, or oral vitamin D 3 supplementation did not improve exercise performance in a randomized-controlled trial.

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Authors
CARSWELL, A. T., OLIVER, S. J., WENTZ, L. M., KASHI, D. S., ROBERTS, R., TANG, J. C. Y., IZARD, R. M., JACKSON, S., ALLAN, D., RHODES, L. E., FRASER, W. D., GREEVES, J. P., & WALSH, N. P.
Affiliations
  • Bangor University (GB)
  • Appalachian State University (US)
  • University of East Anglia (GB)
  • Occupational Medicine, Headquarters Army Recruiting and Training Division, Upavon, Wiltshire, UNITED KINGDOM;
  • Army Personnel and Research Capability, Army HQ, Andover, Hampshire, UNITED KINGDOM;
  • Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2018-12
Volume
50
Issue
12
Pages
2555-2564
ISSN
  • 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-0315
DOI
10.1249/mss.0000000000001721
PMC
PMC6282681
OpenAlex
W2883296014
Cited by
73
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1
FWCI
5.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Liverpool John Moores University (submittedVersion)
  • UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Bangor University Research Portal (Bangor University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
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, vitamin D3 supplementation, simulated sunlight, exercise performance, endurance performance, strength and power, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D sufficiency, military recruits, seasonal variation, vitamin D deficiency
MeSH terms
Adult, Cholecalciferol, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Military Personnel, Prospective Studies, Seasons, Sunlight, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Exercise, Dietary Supplements, Athletic Performance, Young Adult

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