Vitamin D metabolites are associated with physical performance in young healthy adults

Alexander T. Carswell, Sarah Jackson, Paul Swinton, Thomas J. O'Leary, Jonathan C. Y. Tang, Samuel J. Oliver, Craig Sale, Rachel M. Izard, Neil P. Walsh, William D. Fraser, Julie P. Greeves (Lead Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to determine vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D receptor (VDR) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) relationships with physical performance. Methods In 1205 men and 322 women (94.8% White Caucasian, 22.0 ± 2.8 yr) commencing military training, we measured serum vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrophotometry and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) by immunoassay), VDR SNPs (rs2228570, rs4516035, and rs7139166 by polymerase chain reaction genotyping), and endurance performance by 2.4-km run, muscle strength by maximal dynamic lift, and muscle power by maximal vertical jump. Results Serum 25(OH)D was negatively associated with 2.4-km run time and positively associated with muscle power (β =-12.0 and 90.1), 1,25(OH)2D was positively associated with run time and negatively associated with strength and muscle power (β = 5.6,-1.06, and-38.4), and 24,25(OH)2D was negatively associated with run time (β =-8.9; P < 0.01), after controlling for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, time outdoors, season, and body mass index. Vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, and 24,25(OH)2D) together explained variances of 5.0% in run time, 0.7% in strength, and 0.9% in muscle power (ΔF P < 0.001). All performance measures were superior with low 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D ratio (P < 0.05). VDR SNPs were not associated with physical performance (ΔFP ≥ 0.306). Conclusions Vitamin D metabolites accounted for a small portion of variance in physical performance. Associations between vitamin D metabolites and run time were the most consistent. VDR SNPs explained no variance in performance. Greater conversion of 25(OH)D to 24,25(OH)2D, relative to 1,25(OH)2D (i.e., low 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D ratio), was favorable for performance, indicating 24,25(OH)2D may have a role in optimizing physical performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1982-1989
Number of pages8
JournalMedicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume54
Issue number11
Early online date29 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Endurance
  • Exercise
  • Muscle power
  • Muscle strength
  • Polymorphisms
  • Vitamin D

Cite this