Evaluation of the Relationship between Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D Levels and Cardiac Functions in Adolescent Athletes.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is a prohormone necessary for the optimal functioning of the locomotor and circulatory systems in humans. As a caveat, vitamin D metabolism is crucial for maintaining musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health for overexercising people, like athletes. Our study intended to explore the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) levels and left ventricle/right ventricle (LV/RV) systolic and diastolic function in adolescent athletes using 2D Doppler studies.

METHODS

In our cross-sectional study, 100 adolescent athletes were divided into two groups: vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL) and vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D>20 ng/mL) with 30 males and 20 females in both groups. A detailed physical examination and basic biochemical tests were performed; serum 25(OH)D levels were determined, and an echocardiographic evaluation was performed.

RESULTS

We found that decreased serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with impairment in many indicators of cardiac function, such as left ventricular-right ventricular-interventricular septum peak systolic velocity (Sm) and Tei index, inflow peak early diastolic velocity and inflow peak late diastolic velocity ratio (E/A), annulus early diastolic myocardial peak velocity (E'), and E/E' ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

To protect cardiac functions in adolescent athletes, we suggest screening serum 25(OH) D levels during certain periods, such as fall and winter, and vitamin D supplementation if necessary.