PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 3.L - Health Sciences

Vitamin D status does not affect exercise test performance in athletes

Name of the presenter

Márton, Petra

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University, Heart and Vascular Centre

Authors

Petra Márton¹, Csulak Emese¹, Bátai Luca Kata¹, Szabó Kamilla¹, Sydó Nóra¹, Szabó Liliána Erzsébet¹, Prof. Vágó Hajnalka¹, Prof. Merkely Béla¹
1: Semmelweis University, Heart and Vascular Centre

Text of the abstract

Vitamin D status does not affect exercise test performance in athletes

Petra Márton, Luca Bátai, Kamilla Szabó, Borbála Edvi, Emese Csulak, Liliána Erzsébet

Szabó, Hajnalka Vágó Prof., Béla Merkely Prof, Nóra Sydó

Abstract

Introduction:
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, hormone regulation, and immune system support. However, its
impact on exercise performance is still debated.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D status and
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters in competitive athletes.
Methods:
All athletes underwent comprehensive sports cardiology screening, including medical history, resting
ECG, laboratory testing, CPET, and body composition analysis. Participants were categorized into
vitamin D deficient (≤30 ng/mL) and sufficient (>30 ng/mL) groups. Associations between vitamin D
status and CPET parameters were analyzed with adjustment for sex, age, BMI, body composition, and
season.
Results:
A total of 574 athletes were included (age: 21.7±9.0 years; 78.8% male; training volume: 15.1±6.9
h/week), mainly basketball, football, handball, water polo players, and swimmers. Vitamin D levels
showed significant seasonal variation, with lower levels in winter compared to summer (33.4±11.7 vs
37.8±11.9 ng/mL, p<0.001). Seasonal differences were accompanied by higher peak lactate levels
(p=0.009) and lower body fat percentage (BFP) (p=0.033), without differences in CPET results. Female
athletes had higher vitamin D levels compared to males (female: 38.4±12.9 vs. male: 35.8±11.7;
p=0.032). Athletes with Vitamin D deficiency had no difference in CPET results; however, their BFP was
higher (14.1±6.7 vs 12.7±5.7%, p=0.029) compared to the Vitamin D sufficient group. Athletes with the
lowest performance level (VO2max % <90%) had similar Vitamin D levels as athletes with the best
performance (<90%: 35.3±10.8 vs. >130%: 39.7±13.8; p=0.08).
Conclusion:
However, Vitamin D status does not directly affect exercise test performance in competitive athletes; it
may have an influence on sport performance due to its other regulatory effects, such as improving
immune and muscle function.
Funding:
Funded by the Bolyai János Research Scholarship and EKÖP-KDP-2024.TKP2021.