Vitamin D supplementation and body composition changes in collegiate basketball players: a 12-week randomized control trial

Abstract

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.

Effects of Probiotics and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Sports Performance Markers in Male Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Randomized Trial

“…Similarly, no effect on peak power output was reported by Hew-Bulter et al, who performed a 12-week supplementation of 4000 IU vitamin D 3 in basketball players [ 50 ]. To summarize, vitamin D 3 recommended doses for healthy, active adults are probably too low for a population of elite athletes.…”

Energy and Macronutrients Intake in Indoor Sport Team Athletes: Systematic Review

“…As Table 3 shows, the majority of the studies included in this systematic review used a cross-sectional design [22,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48], while eight were longitudinal [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] and just one was a randomized control trial (RCT) [57]. Generally, the aim of the cross-sectional studies was to assess the athletes' dietary intake, while those using a longitudinal design presented more ambitious objectives such as analyzing associations or evaluations of different interventions in order to improve athletes' performances.…”

Correlation between body composition and white matter hyperintensity in patients with acute ischemic stroke

“…Third, it is possible that other conditions/medications or residual confoundings such as diet, vitamin D or calcium intake, drugs or physical activity that could explain the observed association. [29][30][31] Finally, we used a less precise visual rating scale to assess the degree of WMH. Quantification of WMH is needed to further investigate the relationship between body composition and WMH volume.…”