Association between physical activity and vitamin D: A narrative literature review

Abstract

This narrative review of the medical literature assessed whether outdoor and indoor physical activity would increase the plasma levels of vitamin D. Synthesis of this liposoluble vitamin is mainly mediated by sunlight on the skin, where it is activated to perform its main action, which is to control the serum levels of calcium as soon as the element is absorbed in the intestines, assisting in the regulation of bone metabolism. Physical activity is any body movement that results in energy expenditure, while outdoor physical activity refers to physical activity carried out at public parks or other open spaces, as is the case of the popular practice of taking walks. Exercising outdoors would have both the benefits of physical activity and of sun exposure, namely the synthesis of vitamin D. However, according to the studies analyzed, increased plasma concentration of vitamin D occurs with physical activity both indoors and outdoors.

The Effect of Physical Activity on Vitamin D Status in Pregnant Women Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The findings are consistent with earlier studies, which showed that physical activity was positively associated with 25(OH)D concentration in various non-pregnant populations, including children and adolescents [9], adults [5] and elderly adults [6,7], as well as cancer patients [10] and in lactating postpartum women [11], regardless of indoor vs outdoor physical activity [8]. Extending this association to pregnant women, we hypothesized that independent of sunlight exposure, higher intensity and duration of physical activity would lead to higher concentrations of circulating 25(OH)D as the indicator of vitamin D status in pregnant women.…”

“…Previous research has shown a positive association between physical activity and vitamin D levels [5][6][7]. This association has been noted whether the activity occurs indoors or outdoors [8], in both the young [9] and the old [6,7], and even in patients with active diseases such as cancer [10]. Recent evidence shows a link between physical activity and vitamin D status in postpartum women early after delivery, but little data is available regarding this association during pregnancy [11].…”

Effect of exercise on slowing breastfeeding‐induced bone loss: A meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis

“…[26][27][28] Researchers have also found that in addition to outdoor physical activities benefiting bone formation by improving vitamin D production under sunshine exposure, indoor physical activities increase vitamin D concentrations in plasma. 29 These mechanisms can explain the effect of exercise on slowing breastfeeding-induced bone loss.…”

Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia

“…Physical activity (PA) is any movement of the body produced by skeletal muscles that results in a greater energy expenditure than that observed at rest levels [ 18 ]. The benefits of increased levels of PA are numerous and well documented and include various physiological benefits (i.e., improved cardiovascular health status, lowered blood pressure, and better hormonal function) and psychological improvements (i.e., reduced mental stress and anxiety, improved self-esteem, and socialization) [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Finally, in a very recent study, Brazilian researchers reported a gender-specific association between PA and 25(OH)D status in 12- to 17-year-old adolescents; specifically, these researchers showed that PA is significantly correlated with 25(OH)D status only in boys [ 15 ]. Collectively, it appears that the association between PA and 25(OH)D status in children is not universal and should be identified specifically by (i) gender (i.e., some studies reported evidence of gender-specific associations) [ 15 ], (ii) narrow age groups (due to the specific influence of different developmental factors on 25(OH)D status in different age groups) [ 16 , 28 ], and (iii) geographical regions/countries (mainly due to differences in sunshine hours among different geographical locations) [ 9 , 18 , 27 ].…”