High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation and Exercise Effects on Vitamin D Metabolites in Professional Football Players

NCT ID: NCT07310329

Last Updated: 2025-12-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-27

Study Completion Date

2024-06-24

Brief Summary

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This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the effects of high-dose vitamin D₃ supplementation and football-specific physical exercise on vitamin D metabolite concentrations in professional male football players. The study aimed to evaluate the acute response of circulating vitamin D metabolites, including 25-(OH)D₃, 24,25-(OH)₂D₃, and 3-epi-25-(OH)D₃, following a single oral dose of 500,000 IU cholecalciferol combined with high-intensity intermittent exercise typical of competitive football.

Twenty professional football players from a Polish top-division club participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the supplementation group (SGP) receiving 500,000 IU of vitamin D₃ or the placebo group (PGP) receiving an identical volume of placebo oil. The intervention was administered 48 hours prior to an intra-squad game. Blood samples were collected at three time points: baseline (T3), pre-match (T4), and post-match (T5). The primary outcome was the change in serum 25-(OH)D₃ concentration. Secondary outcomes included changes in 24,25-(OH)₂D₃ and 3-epi-25-(OH)D₃ levels, as well as their ratios. The study also assessed whether physical exercise modulates vitamin D metabolism.

The findings demonstrated that high-dose vitamin D₃ supplementation significantly increased serum 25-(OH)D₃ (↑198%) and 3-epi-25-(OH)D₃ (↑444%) levels, while football-specific exercise itself induced moderate increases in vitamin D metabolites. The results suggest that skeletal muscle may play a key role in vitamin D storage and release in response to exercise. The supplementation was well tolerated, with no adverse events observed.

Detailed Description

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This pilot study was designed to explore the combined effects of high-dose vitamin D₃ supplementation and acute physical exercise on vitamin D metabolism in professional football players. The study responds to growing scientific interest in understanding how vitamin D status influences performance, recovery, and muscle function in athletes. While most previous studies have focused on chronic, low-to-moderate supplementation, this trial examined the response to a single, pharmacological dose of cholecalciferol in a controlled experimental setting.

Study Design

The study employed a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Supplementation Group (SGP) - received a single oral dose of 500,000 IU vitamin D₃ (Vigantol Oil, P\&G Health, Germany);

Placebo Group (PGP) - received an identical amount of placebo (vegetable oil).

The supplementation was administered 48 hours before a standardized intra-squad football match (ISG), conducted under conditions simulating a competitive game. All players followed the same training schedule and diet during the study.

Participants

A total of 20 professional male football players (aged 18-35) from a Polish top-league club volunteered to participate. Inclusion criteria included active professional status, regular training participation, and no use of vitamin D or calcium supplements in the previous 3 months. Exclusion criteria included musculoskeletal injuries, metabolic disorders, or refusal to sign informed consent.

Measurements

Blood samples were collected at three time points:

T3: baseline (before supplementation),

T4: 48 hours post-supplementation (pre-match),

T5: immediately after the intra-squad game.

Serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D₃, 24,25-(OH)₂D₃, and 3-epi-25-(OH)D₃ were determined using LC-MS/MS. Additional biochemical variables (hemoglobin, glucose, testosterone, cortisol, ferritin, calcium, CK) were analyzed to monitor physiological status.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome: Changes in serum 25-(OH)D₃ concentrations after supplementation and exercise.

Secondary Outcomes: Changes in 24,25-(OH)₂D₃ and 3-epi-25-(OH)D₃ levels, metabolite ratios.

Ethics

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences (Resolution No. 1/2024, March 1, 2024). All participants signed written informed consent.

Conditions

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Vitamin D Deficiency (10 ng/mL to 30 ng/mL) Athletes Football Players Exercise Physiology

Keywords

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24,25-(OH)2D3 3-epi-25-(OH)D3 dietary supplement physical performance athletes

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a supplementation group receiving a single oral dose of 500,000 IU vitamin D₃ or a placebo group receiving identical placebo oil.
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Single-blind design: participants were unaware of whether they received vitamin D₃ or placebo; the investigator administering supplements was unblinded.

Study Groups

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Supplementation Group (SGP)

Participants in this group received a single oral dose of 500,000 IU of vitamin D₃ (Vigantol Oil, P\&G Health, Germany) 48 hours before the intra-squad football match (ISG). Blood samples were collected before supplementation and both before and after the ISG to evaluate changes in vitamin D metabolites.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Vitamin D₃

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A single oral dose of 500,000 IU vitamin D₃ (Vigantol Oil, P\&G Health, Germany) was administered 48 hours before the intra-squad football match to assess its acute effects on vitamin D metabolite concentrations.

Placebo Group (PGP)

Participants in this group received a single oral dose of placebo oil identical in color and consistency to the vitamin D₃ solution. Blood samples were collected at the same time points as in the supplementation group to assess vitamin D metabolite changes.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

A single oral dose of vegetable oil matching the vitamin D₃ solution in color and consistency was administered 48 hours before the intra-squad football match.

Interventions

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Vitamin D₃

A single oral dose of 500,000 IU vitamin D₃ (Vigantol Oil, P\&G Health, Germany) was administered 48 hours before the intra-squad football match to assess its acute effects on vitamin D metabolite concentrations.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

A single oral dose of vegetable oil matching the vitamin D₃ solution in color and consistency was administered 48 hours before the intra-squad football match.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Male professional football players aged 18-35 years
2. Actively training and competing in the Polish first football league
3. No vitamin D or calcium supplementation during the previous 3 months
4. No injuries or illnesses affecting participation

Exclusion Criteria

1. Current musculoskeletal injury or illness
2. Chronic metabolic, endocrine, or renal disorders
3. Use of vitamin D or calcium supplements
4. Refusal or inability to sign informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Anna Książek

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Anna Książek, PhD Eng.; Associate Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Biological Principles of Physical Activity ; Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

Locations

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Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

Wroclaw, Dolnyśląsk, Poland

Site Status

Countries

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Poland

References

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Mieszkowski J, Stankiewicz B, Kochanowicz A, Niespodzinski B, Kowalik T, Zmijewski M, Kowalski K, Rola R, Bienkowski T, Antosiewicz J. Ultra-Marathon-Induced Increase in Serum Levels of Vitamin D Metabolites: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 25;12(12):3629. doi: 10.3390/nu12123629.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 33255807 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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AWF-VitD-Football-2024

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id