Summary
This study, executed by three research institutes in Uzbekistan, investigated seasonal changes in vitamin D status and its influence on upper respiratory tract infections among water sports athletes. 40 elite athletes and 30 controls were involved in the study. In the course of one year, vitamin D levels and inflammation parameters were measured, whereafter the frequency of acute upper respiratory tract infections was determined. The study showed that vitamin D deficiency is frequent among athletes engaged in swimming and induces adverse outcomes related to inflammation markers and upper respiratory tract infections. According to the results, vitamin D supplementation is advised to improve vitamin D status, thereby correcting inflammation parameters and decreasing upper respiratory tract infections. Further details can be found in the study.
References
Umarov et al.