title: Seasonal variation in vitamin D status in professional soccer players of the English Premier League.
abstract: The prevalence of seasonal variation in vitamin D status was examined in 20 FA Premier League soccer players residing at a latitude of 53°N. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels decreased (P < 0.001) between August (104.4 ± 21.1 nmol·L(-1), range 68-151) and December (51.0 ± 19.0 nmol·L(-1), range 22-86), such that levels for 65% of the sample were insufficient (<50 nmol·L(-1)) in winter. Strategies to augment vitamin D(3) availability may therefore be advantageous for UK soccer players so as to maintain muscle function.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK. J.PMorton@ljmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drust
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Graeme L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Close
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Brukner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D