Vitamin D Deficiency Among Professional Basketball Players

Abstract

Background:Vitamin D plays an important role in several systems of the human body. Various studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to stress and insufficiency fractures, muscle recovery and function, and athletic performance. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the elite athletic population has not been extensively studied, and very few reports exist among professional athletes.Hypothesis:There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among players attending the National Basketball Association (NBA) Combine.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:This is a retrospective review of data previously collected as part of the routine medical evaluation of players in the NBA Combines from 2009 through 2013. Player parameters evaluated were height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and vitamin D level. Statistical analysis using t tests and analysis of variance was used to detect any correlation between the player parameters and vitamin D level. Vitamin D levels were categorized as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20-32 ng/mL), and sufficient (>32 ng/mL).Results:After institutional review board approval was submitted to the NBA, the NBA released deidentified data on 279 players who participated in the combines from 2009 through 2013. There were 90 players (32.3%) who were deficient, 131 players (47.0%) who were insufficient, and 58 players (20.8%) who were sufficient. A total of 221 players (79.3%) were either vitamin D deficient or insufficient. Among all players included, the average vitamin D level was 25.6 ± 10.2 ng/mL. Among the players who were deficient, insufficient, and sufficient, the average vitamin D levels were 16.1 ± 2.1 ng/mL, 25.0 ± 3.4 ng/mL, and 41.6 ± 8.6 ng/mL, respectively. Player height and weight were significantly increased in vitamin D–sufficient players compared with players who were not sufficient (P = .0008 and .009, respectively). Player age and BMI did not significantly differ depending on vitamin D status (P = .15 and .77, respectively).Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency among participants in the NBA Combines. As a result, there should be a high suspicion for this metabolic abnormality among elite basketball players.Clinical Relevance:Vitamin D level has been linked to bone health, muscle recovery and function, and athletic performance. Because of the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the NBA Combines, clinicians should maintain a high suspicion for vitamin D abnormalities among elite basketball players.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum total 25(OH) levels and biochemical markers of skeletal muscles in runners

“…Previous results revealed a positive effect of vitamin D supplementation on global muscle strength, power and muscle fatigue risk factors [15,16,18,37]. The effectiveness of the vitamin D supplementation was confirmed in athletes, however, the optimal intake and serum 25(OH)D levels have yet to be identified in the athletic population [2,3].…”

“…Endurance training has been associated with adaptive changes in skeletal muscle, such as an ability to use oxygen to generate energy for muscle work, a decrease in oxygen demand for the same level of external work performed [1], and a modification in markers of muscle damage and inflammation [2]. In a recent study, a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in extreme endurance athletes, and an association between a delayed physical performance and a deficiency in vitamin D were observed during regular training [2][3][4]. These physiological responses in skeletal muscles were influenced by exercise-induced mechanisms and were probably affected by the nutritional athletic status and a limitation of sun exposure [5][6][7].…”

Effect of Latitude on Vitamin D Levels

“…Another study by Holick 5 found no connection between latitude and serum vitamin D levels, 5 whereas Jelinek et al 16 The primary outcome of interest was the average levels of 25(OH)D in students between the campuses and their relationship to latitude. We acknowledge that literature has recognized deficient, insufficient, and sufficient ranges of vitamin D [10][11][12] ; however, for the purposes of this study's data analysis, levels were dichotomized to be either deficient or nondeficient, with deficient being recognized as less than 20 ng/mL. Participant demographics are presented in Table 1.…”

Editorial Commentary: Is Vitamin D the New Wheaties? Preventing Muscle Fatigue Could Keep Athletes in the Game

“…Not surprisingly, the prevalence of poor vitamin D status in elite athletes is not exclusive to the NFL as nearly 80% of National Basketball Association (NBA) players at the annual combine had insufficient stores. 4 Although Dr. Fishman's study only focused on prevalence, it is not a stretch to believe that we would see similar predictive values of vitamin D levels associated with lower extremity injury in the elite basketball population. Although I do agree with the paper in question as well as current literature on the topic 1,4,5 in that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent and has deleterious effects in elite athletes, we cannot ignore the demographics of the study population.…”

“…4 Although Dr. Fishman's study only focused on prevalence, it is not a stretch to believe that we would see similar predictive values of vitamin D levels associated with lower extremity injury in the elite basketball population. Although I do agree with the paper in question as well as current literature on the topic 1,4,5 in that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent and has deleterious effects in elite athletes, we cannot ignore the demographics of the study population. In particular, the majority of these athletes are black (NFL 69.7%; NBA 74.4%) and thus have a significant predisposition to vitamin D deficiency.…”