An Evaluation of the Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 and Bone Turnover Markers in Professional Football Players and in Physically Inactive Men

Abstract

Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin during exposure to sunlight and its fundamental roles are the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism and bone mineralisation. The aim of our study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, PTH and bone turnover markers (P1NP, OC, β-CTx, OC/β-CTx) and the intake of calcium and vitamin D in Polish Professional Football League (Ekstraklasa) players and in young men with a low level of physical activity. Fifty healthy men aged 19 to 34 years were included in the study. We showed that 25(OH)D3 and P1NP levels and OC/β-CTx were higher in the group of professional football players than in the group of physically inactive men. The daily vitamin D and calcium intake in the group of professional football players was also higher. We showed a significant relationship between 25(OH)D3 levels and body mass, body cell mass, total body water, fat-free mass, muscle mass, vitamin D and calcium intake. Optimum 25(OH)D3 levels were observed in a mere 16.7 % of the football players and vitamin D deficiency was observed in the physically inactive men. The level of physical activity, body composition, calcium and vitamin D intake and the duration of exposure to sunlight may significantly affect serum levels of 25(OH)D3.

Relationships between Vitamin D and Selected Cytokines and Hemogram Parameters in Professional Football Players—Pilot Study

“…In our location, sunlight exposure does not provide adequate vitamin D synthesis in autumn and winter [ 44 ]. Contrary to expectations, the mean concentration of 25(OH)D in athletes was lower than that found in non-athletes [ 45 ]. However, some findings did not support such a relationship, pointing to the balanced diet of athletes as a protective factor against vitamin D deficiency [ 46 ].…”

Changes of 25(OH)D Concentration, Bone Resorption Markers and Physical Performance as an Effect of Sun Exposure, Supplementation of Vitamin D and Lockdown among Young Soccer Players during a One-Year Training Season

“…Previous studies confirmed the influence of high and low levels of 25(OH)D concentration in athletes blood plasma on the functioning of skeletal muscles [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], bone resorption [ 10 , 13 ], or the risk of injury [ 20 ]. Some authors [ 20 , 21 , 22 ] observed that frequent damage of muscles and the osteoarticular system in athletes, from countries with a low sunlight exposition, was due to large 25(OH)D insufficiencies.…”

“…Maintaining the optimal level of 25(OH)D concentration in the blood plasma is difficult from autumn to early spring for people living in the countries of northern Europe. Several authors from Poland [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], Russia [ 11 , 12 ], and Great Britain [ 13 ] have previously described this issue. These authors reported a significantly lower 25(OH)D concentration in athletes and untrained people during winter than during summer months [ 13 ].…”

Seasonal Changes in 25(OH)D Concentration in Young Soccer Players—Implication for Bone Resorption Markers and Physical Performance

“…The need to maintain an optimal level of 25(OH)D in athletes, including professional footballers and people with little physical activity during and immediately after winter in Northern European countries was suggested by Kopeć et al [2], Solarz et al [3] and Bezuglow et al [4] in their studies. These authors diagnosed a significantly lower concentration of 25(OH)D in athletes at that time compared to the summer period.…”

“…When reviewing the literature on the effects of vitamin D on human life functions, it can be seen that there are few reports of young, physically active people. The most frequent scientific papers have discussed the effects of vitamin D on skeletal muscle function [7][8][9], bone turnover [3] and the risk of injury [10]. Moreover, the frequent injuries in young athletes may result from a considerable deficiency of vitamin D related to exercise but also from a lack of exposure to sun light, especially in countries with the fewest daylight hours during winter [10][11][12].…”