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Published on: December 1, 2023
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Combination With Exercise Training on Body Composition and Muscular Strength
Fatemeh Kazeminasab1, Ahmad Reza Moein1, Maryam Baharlooie2
1Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan 87317-53153, Iran.
Context:
The combination of vitamin D supplementation and exercise has gained attention for its potential to improve body composition and muscular strength.
Objective:
In this systematic review and meta-analysis we aimed to determine whether combining vitamin D supplementation with exercise is more effective than exercise alone in improving body composition and muscular strength in adults.
Data Sources:
We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to April 1, 2024.
Data Extraction:
Studies evaluating vitamin D supplementation combined with exercise versus exercise-only controls were included. Outcomes assessed were 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), body fat percentage (BFP), fat-free mass (FFM), and muscular strength (handgrip, leg press, and knee extension). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated. Fractional polynomial modeling was used to assess nonlinear associations between vitamin D dose (IU/wk), intervention duration, and outcomes.
Data Analysis:
A total of 28 studies with 1675 participants were included. Vitamin D combined with exercise significantly increased 25(OH)D levels compared to exercise alone (WMD, 34.11 nmol/L; P = .001). Subgroup analyses showed significant increases in 25(OH)D levels in both healthy and unhealthy adults. No significant effects were observed for BW, BMI, FM, BFP, FFM, or leg press strength (all P > .05). A modest but significant improvement was found in knee extension strength (WMD, 4.36 kg; P = .039). Additionally, handgrip strength improved significantly in older adults and in those receiving higher vitamin D doses.
Conclusion:
Vitamin D supplementation combined with exercise increases 25(OH)D levels but does not improve body composition more than exercise alone. Overall, muscular strength was not significantly affected; however, modest improvements were observed in knee extension strength and handgrip strength, particularly in older adults and those receiving higher vitamin D doses.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024548619.
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