Vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency in non-supplemented athletes during the winter months in Tunisia

A Sghaier-Ayadi; M Feki; I Bezrati-Ben Ayed; O Abene; MK Ben Fredj; K Kaabachi; A Chaouachi

doi:10.5604/20831862.1163690

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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4/2015
vol. 32

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abstract:

Vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency in non-supplemented athletes during the winter months in Tunisia

A Sghaier-Ayadi

,

M Feki

,

I Bezrati-Ben Ayed

,

O Abene

,

MK Ben Fredj

,

K Kaabachi

,

A Chaouachi

Biol. Sport 2015;32:281-287

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1163690

Online publish date: 2015/11/23

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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.

keywords:

Vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency in non-supplemented athletes during the winter months in Tunisia

A Sghaier-Ayadi , M Feki , I Bezrati-Ben Ayed , O Abene , MK Ben Fredj , K Kaabachi , A Chaouachi

cholecalciferol, hypovitaminosis D, sun exposure, vitamin D inadequacy

A Sghaier-Ayadi

,

M Feki

,

I Bezrati-Ben Ayed

,

O Abene

,

MK Ben Fredj

,

K Kaabachi

,

A Chaouachi