Vitamin D and Weight Cycling: Impact on Injury, Illness, and Inflammation in Collegiate Wrestlers

Nutrients. 2016 Nov 30;8(12):775. doi: 10.3390/nu8120775.

Abstract

This study explored the link between vitamin D status and frequency of skin infections, inflammation, and injury in college wrestlers during an academic year.

Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (n = 19), plasma cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10) (n = 18) concentrations, and body weight/composition were measured and injury/illness/skin infection data were collected in fall, winter, and spring.

Results: In the fall, 74% of wrestlers had vitamin D concentrations <32 ng/mL which increased to 94% in winter and spring. Wrestlers lost an average of 3.4 ± 3.9 kg (p < 0.001) during the season with corresponding decreases in fat mass and increases in lean mass (p < 0.01). An inverse association between 25(OH)D concentrations and total body mass and body fat percentage was observed at all-time points (p < 0.01). Concentrations of cytokines were highly variable among individuals and did not change across time (p > 0.05). Correlations between vitamin D status, cytokines, or frequency of illness, injury, or skin infections were not observed.

Conclusions: A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (<32 ng/mL) and deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was observed in wrestlers and was associated with higher adiposity. It remains unclear if higher vitamin D status would reduce injury, illness, and skin infection risk.

Keywords: athletes; exercise; inflammation; vitamin D; wrestling.

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adolescent
  • Athletes
  • Body Weight*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Male
  • Seasons
  • Sports / physiology
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Wrestling
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D