Vitamin D supplementation improves muscle strength in healthy adults – meta-analysis of 6 RCT Aug 2014

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on upper and lower body muscle strength levels in healthy individuals. A systematic review with meta-analysis

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Available online 11 August 2014
Peter B. Tomlinson, Corey Joseph, Manuela Angioi,

Objectives: To investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength in healthy individuals.

Design: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods: In October 2013 a computerised literature search of three databases (Pubmed, Web of Knowledge and Scopus) was performed. Included in the review were controlled and randomised controlled trials, published in English, which measured muscle strength and serum Vitamin D concentration in participants 18-40 years old. References of identified articles were then cross-checked and citations scanned for additional articles. Quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Muscle strength and Vitamin D levels were extracted for a meta-analysis on upper and lower limb strength with standardised mean differences calculated to analyse effect.

Results: Six randomised controlled trials and one controlled trial were identified and quality assessment showed all seven trials were of ‘good quality’.
Data was extracted from 310 adults, 67% female, with mean ages ranging from 21.5 to 31.5 years.
Trials lasted from 4 weeks to 6 months and dosages differed from 4000 IU per day to 60,000 IU per week.
Upper and lower limb muscle strength had a standardised mean difference of 0.32 (95% CI = 0.10, 0.54) and 0.32 (95% CI = 0.01, 0.63) respectively, suggesting Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased muscle strength in the experimental group for upper (P = 0.005) and lower limbs (P = 0.04).

Conclusion
Vitamin D supplementation increases upper and lower limb strength. Further research should focus on its effect on muscle power, endurance and maximal strength.

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See also VitaminDWiki

Overview Sports and vitamin D has the following summary

Athletes are helped by vitamin D by:

  1. Faster reaction time
  2. Far fewer colds/flus during the winter
  3. Less sore/tired after a workout
  4. Fewer micro-cracks and broken bones
  5. Bones which do break heal much more quickly
  6. Increased VO2 and exercise endurance Feb 2011
  7. Indoor athletes especially need vitamin D
  8. Professional indoor athletes are starting to take vitamin D and/or use UV beds
  9. Olympic athletes have used UV/vitamin D since the 1930's
  10. The biggest gain from the use of vitamin D is by those who exercise less than 2 hours per day.
  11. Reduced muscle fatigue with 10,000 IU vitamin D daily
  12. Muscle strength improved when vitamin D added: 3 Meta-analysis
  13. Reduced Concussions
    See also: Sports and Vitamin D category 273 items

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