Vitamin D in Basketball Players: Current Evidence and Future Directions

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#basketball #bone-and-bones #dietary-supplements #humans #vitamin-d

Vitamin D in Basketball Players: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Stojanović et al., 2022 | Sports Health | Meta Analysis

Citation

Stojanović Emilija, Radovanović Dragan, ... Jakovljević Vladimir. Vitamin D in Basketball Players: Current Evidence and Future Directions. Sports Health. 2022;14(3):377-388. doi:10.1177/19417381211019343

Abstract

CONTEXT: Despite growing interest in quantifying and correcting vitamin D inadequacy in basketball players, a critical synthesis of these data is yet to be performed to overcome the low generalizability of findings from individual studies. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive analysis of data in basketball pertaining to (1) the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy; (2) the effects of vitamin D supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration (and its association with body composition), bone health, and performance; and (3) crucial aspects that warrant further investigation. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, SCIndex, and ScienceDirect databases were searched. STUDY SELECTION: After screening, 15 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA EXTRACTION: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, serum 25(OH)D, body composition, stress fractures, and physical performance were extracted. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy for 527 basketball players in 14 studies was 77% (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.70-0.84). Supplementation with 4000 IU/d and 4000 IU/wk (absolute mean difference [AMD]: 25.39 nmol/L; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 13.44-37.33), as well as 10,000 IU/d (AMD: 100.01; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 70.39-129.63) vitamin D restored 25(OH)D to normal concentrations. Body composition data revealed inverse correlations between changes in serum 25(OH)D (from pre- to postsupplementation) and body fat (r = -0.80; very large). Data concerning positive impacts of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and physical performance remain sparse. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of vitamin D inadequacy underscores the need to screen for serum 25(OH)D in basketball players. Although supplementation restored vitamin D sufficiency, the beneficial effects on bone health and physical performance remain sparse. Adiposity can modulate 25(OH)D response to supplementation.

Key Findings

The pooled prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy for 527 basketball players in 14 studies was 77% (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.70-0.84). Supplementation with 4000 IU/d and 4000 IU/wk (absolute mean difference [AMD]: 25.39 nmol/L; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 13.44-37.33), as well as 10,000 IU/d (AMD: 100.01; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 70.39-129.63) vitamin D restored 25(OH)D to normal concentrations. Body composition data revealed inverse correlations between changes in serum 25(OH)D (from pre- to postsupplementation) and

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 15
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Basketball
  • Bone and Bones
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09