Risk factors for sER included exceptional motivation, extreme soreness, increased resting BP, acidic urine (females), and regular ingestion of protein shakes.

Adequate serum vitamin D and iron levels are thought to influence physical training adaptations and mood positively. The primary purpose of this prospective, observational study was to investigate relationships between serum 25-OH vitamin D/25(OH)D and serum ferritin levels with body composition and athlete burnout symptoms. Seventy-three collegiate athletes (female: n = 49; male: n = 24) from indoor (swimming, basketball) and outdoor (soccer, cross-country) sports were tested pre-season and post-season for serum 25(OH)D and serum ferritin (nutrient biomarkers) via venipuncture; body composition (total lean mass, bone mineral density/BMD, and % body fat) via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans; and athlete burnout symptoms (post-season) via the athlete burnout questionnaire (ABQ). When male and female cohorts were combined, significant correlations (Pearson’s r) were noted between pre-season serum 25(OH)D versus the change (∆: post-season minus pre-season) in both BMD (r = −0.34; p = 0.0003) and % body fat (r = −0.28; p = 0.015). Serum ferritin ∆ was significantly associated with lean mass ∆ (r = −0.34; p = 0.003). For burnout symptoms, serum 25(OH)D ∆ significantly explained 20.6% of the variance for devaluation of the sport in the male cohort only. Across time, serum 25(OH)D levels decreased while serum ferritin levels increased, non-significantly, in both males and females. Relationships between nutrient biomarkers and body composition were opposite of physiological expectations.

Background Vitamin D promotes bone and muscle growth in non-athletes, suggesting supplementation may be ergogenic in athletes. Our primary aim was to determine if modest Vitamin D supplementation augments favorable body composition changes (increased bone and lean mass and decreased fat mass) and performance in collegiate basketball players following 12 weeks of standardized training. Methods Members of a men’s and women’s NCAA D1 Basketball team were recruited. Volunteers were randomized to receive either a weekly 4000 IU Vitamin D 3 supplement (D3) or placebo (P) over 12 weeks of standardized pre-season strength training. Pre- and post-measurements included 1) serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D); 2) body composition variables (total body lean, fat, and bone mass) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and 3) vertical jump test to assess peak power output. Dietary intake was assessed using Food Frequency questionnaires. Main outcome measures included changes (∆: post-intervention minus pre-intervention) in 25(OH)D, body composition, and performance. Results Eighteen of the 23 players completed the trial (8 females/10 males). Eight received the placebo (20 ± 1 years; 3 females) while ten received Vitamin D 3 (20 ± 2 years; 5 females). Weekly Vitamin D 3 supplementation induced non-significant increases (∆) in 25(OH)D (2.6 ± 7.2 vs. −3.5 ± 5.3 ng/mL; p = 0.06), total body bone mineral content (BMC) (73.1 ± 62.5 vs. 84.1 ± 46.5 g; p = 0.68), and total body lean mass (2803.9 ± 1655.4 vs. 4474.5 ± 11,389.8 g; p = 0.03), plus a non-significant change in body fat (−0.5 ± 0.8 vs. −1.1 ± 1.2%; p = 0.19) (Vitamin D 3 vs. placebo supplementation groups, respectively). Pre 25(OH)D correlated with both Δ total fat mass (g) (r = 0.65; p = 0.003) and Δ total body fat% (r = 0.56; p = 0.02). No differences were noted in peak power output ∆ between the D3 vs. P group (−127.4 ± 335.4 vs. 50.9 ± 9 W; NS). Participants in the D3 group ingested significantly fewer total calories (−526.2 ± 583.9 vs. −10.0 ± 400 kcals; p = 0.02) than participants in the P group. Conclusions Modest (~517 IU/day) Vitamin D 3 supplementation did not enhance favorable changes in total body composition or performance, over 3 months of training, in collegiate basketball players. Weight training provides a robust training stimulus for bone and lean mass accrual, which likely predominates over isolated supplement use with adequate caloric intakes.

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BackgroundVitamin D promotes bone and muscle growth in non-athletes, suggesting supplementation may be ergogenic in athletes. Our primary aim was to determine if modest Vitamin D supplementation augments favorable body composition changes (increased bone and lean mass, decreased fat mass) and performance in collegiate basketball players following 12-weeks of standardized training. MethodsMembers of a men’s and women’s NCAA D1 Basketball team were recruited. Volunteers were randomized to receive either a weekly 4000IU Vitamin D3 supplement (D3) or placebo (P) over 12-weeks of standardized pre-season strength training. Pre- and Post-measurements included: 1) serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D); 2) body composition variables (total body lean, fat and bone mass) using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan; and 3) vertical jump test to assess peak power output. Dietary intake was assessed using Food Frequency questionnaires. Main outcome measures included changes (∆: post- minus pre-intervention) in serum 25-OH-vitamin, body composition, and performance.ResultsEighteen of 23 players completed the trial (8 females/10 males). Eight received the placebo (20±1years; 3 females) while ten received Vitamin D3 (20±2years; 5 females). Weekly Vitamin D3 supplementation induced non-significant increases (∆) in serum 25-OH-vitamin D (2.6±7.2 vs. -3.5±5.3ng/mL;p=0.06), total body bone mineral content (BMC) (73.1±62.5 vs. 84.1±46.5g;p=0.68), and total body lean mass (2803.9±1655.4 vs. 4474.5±11389.8g; p=0.03), plus a non-significant change in body fat (-0.5±0.8 vs. -1.1±1.2%; p=0.19) (Vitamin D3 vs. placebo supplementation groups, respectively). Pre 25-OH-D correlated with both Δ total fat mass (g) (r=0.65;p=0.003) and Δ total body fat% (r=0.56;p=0.02). No differences noted in peak power output ∆ between the D3 vs. P group(-127.4±335.4 vs. 50.9±9W;NS). Participants in the D3 group ingested significantly fewer total calories (-526.2±583.9 vs. -10.0±400kcals;p=0.02) and sodium (-991.4±986.1 vs. 174.1±573.6mg;p=0.02) than participants in the P group.ConclusionsModest (~517IU/day) vitamin D3 supplementation did not enhance favorable changes in total body composition or performance, over 3-months of training, in collegiate basketball players. We alternatively exposed the potential role of sodium on bone metabolism. More practically speaking, weight training provides a robust training stimulus for bone and lean mass accrual, which likely predominates over isolated supplement use with adequate dietary intakes.Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN14155111. Registered 3 November 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14155111