RCTHumann = 342026Poland
Differential and Dose-Dependent Redistribution of Vitamin D Metabolites After Acute High-Intensity Exercise in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes and Untrained Men: Pilot Study.
Plain-language summary
This study looked at how high-intensity exercise and vitamin D3 supplements affect vitamin D levels differently in trained athletes versus untrained men. It compared 22 mixed martial arts athletes and 12 untrained men, giving them different doses of vitamin D3 (3500 or 6000 IU/day) or a placebo, then testing their anaerobic performance and vitamin D levels before and after intense exercise. The study found that trained athletes needed a higher dose (6000 IU/day) to reach sufficient vitamin D levels and saw performance gains, while untrained men reached sufficiency with 3500 IU/day. Exercise also temporarily shifted vitamin D levels in opposite directions for athletes versus untrained men.
Key findings
- 6000 IU/day of vitamin D raised levels in MMA athletes and improved power and work output.
- 3500 IU/day was enough for untrained men to reach sufficient vitamin D levels.
- Exercise increased vitamin D metabolites in athletes but lowered them in untrained men taking supplements.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trials directly test interventions but may not reflect real-world conditions outside the study setup.
- Population
- Healthy young men, split between trained MMA athletes and untrained controls.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Watch for
- This study found that trained athletes needed 6000 IU/day of vitamin D3 to reach sufficient levels and boost performance, while untrained men hit sufficiency with 3500 IU/day. If you train intensely, it may be worth checking your vitamin D levels and adjusting your dose accordingly.