Vitamin D and physical fitness in Qatari girls

Authors:
  • SRS. Racinais
    S. Racinais
  • BHB. Hamilton
    B. Hamilton
  • CLC. K. Li
    C. K. Li
  • JGJ. Grantham
    J. Grantham
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Abstract
Despite long sunlight hours in the Middle East, indigenous women have been shown to experience low vitamin D levels, generally considered as a consequence of the cultural norm of keeping the skin covered.1 However, vitamin D deficiency is also endemic (91%) in Middle Eastern sportsmen with a more marked deficiency in the youngest adult.2 Historical literature suggests that ultraviolet light and vitamin D may have a role in optimising athletic performance,3 but there is limited evidence to support this hypothesis as a 1-year prospective trial of vitamin D3 supplementation did not increase grip strength in Lebanese adolescents.4 To assess vitamin D deficiency in adolescent Qatari girls …

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