BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (Jul 2024)

Vitamin D levels and bone mineral density of middle-aged premenopausal female football and volleyball players in Japan: a cross-sectional study

  • Kimiko Sakamoto,
  • Takayuki Miyamori,
  • Yuki Someya,
  • Masashi Nagao,
  • Yoshihiko Ishihara,
  • Yohei Kobayashi,
  • Yu Shimasaki,
  • Junko Imai,
  • Takeshi Ono,
  • Hiroshi Ikeda,
  • Kohzo Tashima,
  • Masafumi Yoshimura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00938-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background The number of football teams in senior categories has increased. As outdoor sports entail players being exposed to sunlight, playing football may contribute to maintaining vitamin D stores and body mineral density while preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine the bone mineral density and vitamin D levels in middle-aged premenopausal female football players. Methods Participants were premenopausal females in their 40s. We evaluated bone mineral density of the second to the fourth lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which is an indicator of vitamin D stores, and body composition. In addition, we administered a questionnaire survey on exercise habits and lifestyle. Ninety-two participants were categorised into three groups: the football group (n = 27), volleyball group (n = 40), and non-exercise group (n = 25). Results Bone mineral density was higher in the football and volleyball groups than in the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). The volleyball group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck than the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). The football group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck than the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). Although the football group had played fewer years than the volleyball group (P < 0.01), serum 25-OHD levels were the highest in the football group and were significantly higher than those in the volleyball and non-exercise groups (P < 0.01). Conclusions Middle-aged premenopausal football players had higher body vitamin D levels and bone mineral densities than non-active females. These results suggest that playing football may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000054235. 2024/04/23. Retrospectively registered.

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