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Cited by 83Vitamin D Research StudiesNutrition and Health StudiesSports Performance and Training

Seasonal Vitamin D Status in Polish Elite Athletes in Relation to Sun Exposure and Oral Supplementation

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Krzywanski, Jaroslaw, Mikulski, Tomasz, Krysztofiak, Hubert, Mlynczak, Marcel, Gaczynska, Ewa, Ziemba, Andrzej·2016·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0164395PMC PMC5061377
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Abstract

Vitamin D does not only influence the musculoskeletal health and mineral homeostasis but it also affects cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, immune and mental functions, thus it is of considerable importance for both physically active people and elite athletes. However, vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide and results from inadequate endogenous skin synthesis (insufficient ultraviolet B exposure) and diet. To improve the vitamin D status elite athletes often travel to lower latitude during winter. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seasonal vitamin D status in Polish elite athletes according to the sun exposure and oral supplementation. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in the years 2010-2014 in 409 elite athletes, who were divided into the following groups: OUTD-outdoor sports, represented by track and field athletes, who trained in Poland; IND-weightlifters, handball and volleyball players who trained indoors in Poland; SUN-track and field athletes who trained during Polish winter in lower latitude with high sunshine exposure; SUPL-track and field athletes who trained in Poland, had an inadequate vitamin D status (25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml) and were supplemented orally. Inadequate Vitamin D status was observed in 80% of OUTD and 84% of IND athletes in winter, whereas in summer the values amounted to 42% and 83%, respectively. The athletes exposed to sun in winter had significantly higher vitamin D concentration than OUTD group. Oral supplementation improved vitamin D concentration by 45%, whereas winter sun exposure caused its increase by 85%. Except for a few summer months an inadequate status of vitamin D was found in the majority of Polish elite athletes, with the deficiency level being similar to the one observed in non-athletic population. The most serious deficiency was observed in indoor disciplines. Adequate vitamin D status can be achieved by both increased sun exposure, especially in winter, and oral supplementation. Athletes should therefore routinely assess their vitamin D status and be educated how to approach their sunlight exposure, diet and supplementation.

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  • In athletes, a serum 25(OH)D concentration <30 ng/mL may negatively affect aerobic and anaerobic performance, androgen hormone concentration and fat mass.

    “In athletes, a serum 25(OH)D concentration <30 ng/mL may negatively affect aerobic and anaerobic performance, androgen hormone concentration and fat mass [3,7,8].”

    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 [8]

    The Material and Methods classify 25(OH)D below 30 ng/mL as inadequate, and the Introduction says inadequate status might affect athletes’ performance. The paper does not link that threshold specifically to aerobic or anaerobic performance, androgen hormone concentration, or fat mass. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • Most scientists agree that vitamin D supplementation is recommended during the winter season in athletes living in Central and Northern European countries.

    “Most scientists agree that vitamin D supplementation is recommended during the winter season in athletes living in Central and Northern European countries [2,7,8,12].”

    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 [8]

    The Discussion (‘Effectiveness of oral supplementation’; page not provided) reports that winter supplementation raised vitamin D levels in Polish athletes, using doses based on Central European guidelines. The Conclusions also identify supplementation as one way to achieve adequate status. The paper does not establish that most scientists agree on a blanket winter recommendation for athletes across both Central and Northern Europe; it recommends regular monitoring and personalized treatment. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Krzywanski, J., Mikulski, T., Krysztofiak, H., Mlynczak, M., Gaczynska, E., & Ziemba, A.
Affiliations
Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences (PL)
Corresponding author
Krysztofiak, Hubert
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2016-10-12
Volume
11
Issue
10
Pages
e0164395
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0164395
PMC
PMC5061377
OpenAlex
W2531499543
Cited by
83
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 3
FWCI
5.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
vitamin D status, vitamin D deficiency, elite athletes, seasonal variation, sun exposure, UV-B radiation, oral vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, indoor sports, track and field athletes, winter training, Polish athletes
MeSH terms
Adult, Diet, Female, Humans, Male, Poland, Seasons, Sports, Sunlight, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamins, Dietary Supplements, Young Adult, Athletes

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