A systematic review of clinical trials in athletes found that improving vitamin D status may support physical performance, including aerobic capacity measures such as VO₂ max, particularly in individuals with insufficient vitamin D levels. The authors suggest that vitamin D may influence exercise performance through improved skeletal muscle function, mitochondrial activity, muscle protein synthesis, and oxygen delivery through effects on red blood cell production. Across the studies reviewed, vitamin D supplementation was associated with improvements in aerobic endurance, strength, and power, although results varied based on baseline vitamin D status and training conditions. These findings suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may support optimal physical performance, especially among individuals with low vitamin D status.
Performance & Recovery
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Related Studies
Performance & Recovery
Mechanisms of vitamin D action in skeletal muscle
Nutrition Research Reviews
This review describes the molecular role of vitamin D in skeletal muscle tissue function and metabolism, specifically in relation to proliferation, differentiation and the protein synthesis processes. Substantial evidence suggests that vitamin D may have the potential to modulate protein synthesis, mitochondrial metabolism as well as energy production, which is likely to make an impact on muscle strength, function and performance.
Performance & Recovery
Mechanisms of vitamin D action in skeletal muscle
Nutrition Research Reviews
This review describes the molecular role of vitamin D in skeletal muscle tissue function and metabolism, specifically in relation to proliferation, differentiation and the protein synthesis processes. Substantial evidence suggests that vitamin D may have the potential to modulate protein synthesis, mitochondrial metabolism as well as energy production, which is likely to make an impact on muscle strength, function and performance.
Performance & Recovery
Sports Health Benefits of Vitamin D
Sports Health
This review article found a strong correlation between vitamin D sufficiency and optimal muscle function. They found that increasing levels of vitamin D reduced inflammation, pain, and myopathy while increasing muscle protein synthesis, ATP concentration, strength, jump height, jump velocity, jump power, exercise capacity, and physical performance.
Performance & Recovery
Sports Health Benefits of Vitamin D
Sports Health
This review article found a strong correlation between vitamin D sufficiency and optimal muscle function. They found that increasing levels of vitamin D reduced inflammation, pain, and myopathy while increasing muscle protein synthesis, ATP concentration, strength, jump height, jump velocity, jump power, exercise capacity, and physical performance.
Performance & Recovery
Vitamin D and Its Role on the Fatigue Mitigation: A Narrative Review
Nutrients
This review discusses how vitamin D impacts fatigue through biochemical factors connected to oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, and control of voltage-gated calcium and chloride channels.
Performance & Recovery
Vitamin D and Its Role on the Fatigue Mitigation: A Narrative Review
Nutrients
This review discusses how vitamin D impacts fatigue through biochemical factors connected to oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, and control of voltage-gated calcium and chloride channels.