title: Vitamin D Status and Supplementation Practices in Elite Irish Athletes: An Update from 2010/2011.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern that is prevalent in Ireland. The vitamin D status of elite Irish athletes following implementation of a revised supplementation policy in 2010/2011 has not been explored to date. This study aimed to assess the vitamin D status of elite Irish athletes participating in high-profile sports and establish if equatorial travel, supplementation and/or sunbed use predict vitamin D status. Across Ireland, blood samples (n = 92) were obtained from cricketers (n = 28), boxers (n = 21) and women's rugby sevens players (n = 43) between November 2013 and April 2015. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Parathyroid hormone and adjusted calcium concentrations were measured by clinical biochemistry. Athletes completed a questionnaire that queried equatorial travel, supplementation and sunbed use. Vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L) was evident in 86% of athletes. Insufficiency (31-49 nmol/L) and deficiency (<30 nmol/L) was present in only 12% and 2% of athletes respectively. On average, athletes from all sport disciplines were vitamin D sufficient and 25% reported vitamin D supplementation which was a significant positive predictor of vitamin D status, (OR 4.31; 95% CI 1.18-15.75; p = 0.027). Equatorial travel and sun bed use were reported in 47% and 16% of athletes respectively however these factors did not predict vitamin D status (both p > 0.05). Although different cohorts were assessed, the overall prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was 55% in 2010/2011 compared with only 14% in 2013/2015. Targeted supplementation is highly effective in optimising vitamin D status, negating the need for blanket-supplementation in elite cohorts.
authors: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. todd-j10@email.ulster.ac.uk.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Todd
authors: Irish Institute of Sport, Sports Campus Ireland, Abbotstown, Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland. smadigan@instituteofsport.ie.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Madigan
authors: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. k.pourshahidi@ulster.ac.uk.
authors: Kirsty
authors: K
authors: Pourshahidi
authors: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. em.mcsorley@ulster.ac.uk.
authors: Emeir
authors: E
authors: McSorley
authors: School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. lairdea@tcd.ie.
authors: Eamon
authors: E
authors: Laird
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Central Pathology Laboratory, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland. mhealy@stjames.ie.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Healy
authors: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. pj.magee@ulster.ac.uk.
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Magee
mesh_terms: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D056352:Athletes; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000639:trends; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D057566:Self Report; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000072264:Sports and Recreational Facilities; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D002112:Calcifediol
keywords: Elite athletes; supplementation; vitamin D