Vitamin D and sports performance

Almost a century has passed since scientists found that ultraviolet light improved physical performance in human subjects. This was approximately a decade after vitamin D was discovered in 1922. The direct link between this vitamin and athletic performance was shown more recently, in the 21st century, and in spite of being an important vitamin and hormone for bone and muscle, the prevalence of deficiency in athletes and para-athletes is thought to be similar to that found in the general population. Several factors can affect serum vitamin D in athletes, including age, geographical location, training regimen, skin color, diet, and ethnicity. Greater levels of serum vitamin D may have limited benefits in muscle strength once sufficient levels are reached. Vitamin D levels can have important outcomes related to performance in athletes, and apart from affecting muscle and bone, they also affect immune, lung, cardiac, and cognitive functions. Athletes with low vitamin levels are more prone to musculoskeletal injury. Supplementation is recommended if needed and should be guided by healthcare professionals, and although toxicity is rare, regular overdosing can be detrimental to athletes.