Low Vitamin D Levels Are Associated With Increased Risk of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Collegiate Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Vitamin D is crucial for bodily functions and obtained through synthesis and diet.
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased musculoskeletal injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and musculoskeletal injuries in collegiate athletes.
• To determine if lower vitamin D levels correlate with a higher incidence of injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of data from 284 NCAA Division I athletes.
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were categorized as normal, insufficient, or deficient.
• Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess injury odds.

Main Results:

• 47.2% of athletes had insufficient vitamin D, and 17.6% were deficient.
• Each 5 ng/ml decrease in vitamin D was associated with a 13% increase in injury odds (OR, 1.13; P=0.05).
• No significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and injury recovery time or athletic performance metrics.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent among collegiate athletes.
• Lower vitamin D levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
• Addressing vitamin D status may be important for injury prevention in athletes.