Abstract:

Vitamin D deficiency is referred to as a global pandemic. Athletes benefit from vitamin D supplementation not only by prevention of a wide range of diseases that are associated with low serum vitamin D concentrations but also by improved performance, better adaptive responses to exercise and reduced risk of bone stress fractures. Research on vitamin D status of elite athletes are present. However, very little is known on vitamin D deficiency prevalence in recreational athletes. In this retrospective study we have analysed the vitamin D concentrations of asymptomatic recreational athletes (n=165) from 12 different sports branches who presented to our clinic in the time course of a year. 11.51% of athletes had insufficient vitamin D concentrations (20-30 ng/mL), whereas 84.24% of athletes were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL). However, vitamin D levels higher than recommended, such as 73.1 ng/dL, were also observed. Medians of vitamin D levels showed significant difference among seasons (p<.01), however indoor/outdoor characteristic of the sport did not have a significant effect (p>.05). Difference between vitamin D levels of men and women were insignificant (p>.05). In conclusion, prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was very high among recreational athletes who presented to our clinic.

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