Vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency in non-supplemented athletes during the winter months in Tunisia |
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Authors: | A Sghaier-Ayadi M Feki I Bezrati-Ben Ayed O Abene MK Ben Fredj K Kaabachi A Chaouachi |
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Affiliation: | 1.Tunisian Research Laboratory ‘''Sport Performance Optimisation’’, National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports, Tunis, Tunisia;2.Laboratory of Biochemistry, Rabta Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia;3.AUT University, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | Recent reports suggest that hypovitaminosis D in athletes is as common as in the general population. This study was devised to examine vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency in athletes living in a sunny country (Tunisia). One hundred and fifty national elite athletes, training outdoors (n = 83) or indoors (n = 67), were enrolled from January to February 2012. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured by radioimmunoassay. Concentrations were between 50 and 75 nmol · l-1 in 21.3% of participants, between 25 and 50 nmol · l-1 in 55.3% of participants and <25 nmol · l-1 in 14.7% of participants. The concentrations were significantly lower in indoor athletes than outdoor athletes (36.2±19.0 nmol · l-1 vs. 49.1±19.2 nmol · l-1; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D <50 nmol · l-1) was associated with indoor sports multi-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 5.03 (1.64-15.4); p = 0.005], female gender 3.72 (1.44-9.65); p = 0.007] and age < 18 years 2.40 (1.01-5.85); p = 0.05]. Athletes living in sun-rich environments are exposed to a high risk of vitamin D inadequacy. Given the importance of vitamin D in health and athletic ability, targeting sufficient levels of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D in athletes is well justified. |
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Keywords: | cholecalciferol hypovitaminosis D sun exposure vitamin D inadequacy |
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