Fewer injuries and higher ballet jumps with 2,000 IU of vitamin D
The influence of winter vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and injury occurrence in elite ballet dancers: A controlled study
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Matthew A. Wyon a, b, c, [email protected]
Yiannis Koutedakis a, d, e,
Roger Wolman c, f,
Alan M. Nevill a,
Nick Allen a, b, c
a Research Centre for Sport Exercise and Performance, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, UK
b Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries, Birmingham, UK
c National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, UK
d Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, CERETETH, Trikala, Greece
e Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
f Department of Rheumatology and Sport and Exercise Medicine, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK
Objectives: Athletes who train indoors during the winter months exhibit low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations due to a lack of sunlight exposure. This has been linked to impaired exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of oral vitamin D3 supplementation on selected physical fitness and injury parameters in elite ballet dancers.
Design Controlled prospective study.
Methods 24 elite classical ballet dancers (intervention n = 17; control n = 7) participated in a controlled 4-month oral supplementation of vitamin D3 (2000 IU per day). Isometric muscular strength and vertical jump height were measured pre and post intervention. Injury occurrence during the intervention period was also recorded by the in-house medical team. Repeated measures ANOVA and Mann–Whitney-U statistical tests were used and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results Significant increases were noted for the intervention group for
isometric strength (18.7%, p < 0.01) and
vertical jump (7.1%, p < 0.01).
The intervention group also sustained significantly less injuries than the controls during the study period (p < 0.01).
Conclusions Oral supplementation of vitamin D3 during the winter months has beneficial effects on muscular performance and injury occurrence in elite ballet dancers.
Jump height before and after supplementation
See also Vitamin D Life
5,000 IU daily was just enough vitamin D for Irish athletes in the winter – March 2013
Collegiate Swimmers getting 4000 IU of vitamin D had fewer injuries – March 2013
Ballet dancers in the winter had more injuries and only 15 ng of vitamin D – Feb 2013 many of the same authors
Sports benefits from up to 50 ng of Vitamin – meta-analysis - Nov 2012
Proof that Vitamin D Works has the following summary
{include}