Background There has been a growing interest in the role of vitamin D for the well-being and physical performance of humans under heavy training such as conscripts in military service; however, there is a lack of long-term supplementation studies performed on members of this type of young, physically active, male population. The hypothesis of the study was that vitamin D supplementation during wintertime will decrease the prevalence of critically low vitamin D blood serum levels and increase hand grip strength during the winter season among young male conscripts. Study Design Longitudinal, triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Methods Fifty-three male conscripts from the Estonian Army were randomized into two groups: 27 to an intervention group and 26 to a placebo group. The groups were comparable in terms of their demographics. The intervention group received 1200 IU (30 µg) capsules of vitamin D3, and the control group received placebo oil capsules once per day. The length of the follow-up was 7 months, from October 2016 until April 2017. Blood serum vitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium (Ca), ionized calcium (Ca-i), testosterone and cortisol values, and hand grip strength were measured four times during the study period. Results The mean 25(OH)D level decreased significantly in the control group to a critically low level during the study, with the lowest mean value of 22 nmol/l found in March 2017. At that time point, 65% in the control group vs 15% in the intervention group had 25(OH)D values of less than 25 nmol/l (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, the levels of 25(OH)D did not change significantly during the study period. All other blood tests revealed no significant differences at any time point. The corresponding result was found for hand grip strength at all time points. Conclusion Long-term vitamin D supplementation during wintertime results in fewer conscripts in the Estonian Army with critically low serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels during the winter season. However, this did not influence their physical performance in the form of the hand grip strength test.
The medical screening of young athletes assures the early recognition of health problems and properly timed restriction from sports activities provides the safety of sporting. In 2009 the Estonian Health Insurance Fund prevention project ‘The medical screening of young athletes for prevention of sports-related health risks’ was started.The aim of the study was to establish the most common health problems occurring in young athletes, to determine the amount of athletes disqualified from participation in trainings and competition due to health problems, and to explore the main reasons for disqualification.Young athletes (n=1479) in age range from seven to 19 years (mean age 13±3 years, 70% boys), involved in 54 different sports, were screened during eight months period in 2009 in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Tartu University Hospital. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) was used for classification of health problems.In 830 (56%) of young athletes diseases or related health problems were established. Most common organ systems involved were musculoskeletal (posture disturbances, lower extremity enthesopathies, and back problems), cardiovascular (cardiac conduction disorders, arrhythmias, and hypertension), and respiratory system (chronic tonsillitis and asthma) – 41%, 30% and 11% respectively. The health problems occurred more often in age range 13 to 17 years. Track and field, football and volleyball were the sports where athletes had more health problems. The participation restrictions were applied in 171 (11.6%) young athletes (68% boys), in one case the athlete was disqualified from certain sport. Cardiovascular (46%), musculoskeletal (29%), and respiratory (12%) conditions were most frequent reasons for participation restrictions. Although musculoskeletal symptoms and conditions are more common in young athletes, the conditions related to cardiovascular system led more often to participation restriction.
Introduction Despite the great number of investigations on the effects of injuries during military service, there is limited information available on the use of self-reported instruments. This study evaluated self-reported knee pain (KP) and its effect on physical performance during military service in the Estonian Defense Forces. Material and Methods Ninety-five male conscripts aged 19–25 years were divided into two study groups based on the occurrence of KP or not. Self-reported KP and function according to the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were measured. Physical fitness level was scored using the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). KOOS and APFT were measured in the beginning and at the end of the 6-month period of military service. Results Significant differences in favor of the group without KP (P < 0.001) were found for all subgroups of the KOOS. In spite of KP, the physical condition improved significantly (P < 0.001) in both study groups as measured with both the APFT test (22.2% increase) and running time (10.3% decrease). Conclusion In conclusion, self-reported KP and limited function according to KOOS did not hinder the improvement of physical condition and running speed as assessed by APFT in Estonian conscripts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.