RT Journal Article
T1 Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia
A1 Gilic, Barbara
A1 Kosor, Jelena
A1 Jimenez-Pavon, David
A1 Markic, Josko
A1 Karin, Zeljka
A1 Domic, Daniela Supe
A1 Sekulic, Damir
K1 25(OH)D
K1 Physiology of performances
K1 Puberty
K1 Pre-planned agility
K1 Non-planned agility
K1 Calcitriol
K1 Fisiología
K1 Pubertad
K1 Vitamina D
K1 Estudios transversales
K1 Aptitud física
AB Vitamin D level is known to be a factor potentially influencing physical fitness, but few studies have examined this phenomenon among youth athletes. We aimed to evaluate the associations of vitamin D levels (as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations-25(OH)D) with various physical fitness and motor performance tests in youth football (soccer) players. This cross-sectional study included a total of 52 youth soccer players (15.98 ± 2.26 years old) from Southern Croatia. The participants were evaluated at the end of the winter period and data were collected of anthropometric measures (body mass and body height), vitamin D status (25(OH)D levels), physical fitness tests (sprints of 10 and 20 m, 20 yards test, the countermovement jump, the reactive strength index (RSI)) and motor performance tests (the soccer-specific CODS, the soccer-specific agility, and static balance). Among the studied players, 54% had 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency, showing a lack of 25(OH)D is widespread even in youth athletes living at a southern latitude. The 25(OH)D level was correlated with sprint 20 m, 20 yards tests, and RSI, showing a greater role of 25(OH)D in physical fitness tests where energetic capacity is essential than in sport-related motor performance tests where skills are crucial. Our results support the idea that vitamin D can play a determinant role in physical fitness tests with a clear physiological component, but is not crucial in motor performance tests related to specific sports where skills are a key component. Future studies should investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the performance in physical fitness and motor performance tests among youth athletes.
PB MDPI
YR 2021
FD 2021-08-05
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4024
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4024
LA en
NO Gilic B, Kosor J, Jimenez-Pavon D, Markic J, Karin Z, Domic DS, et al. Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia. Biology. 2021 Aug 5;10(8):751
DS RISalud
RD Apr 8, 2025