The Relationships Between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Echocardiographic Parameters in Female Basketball Players

Objective: This study was undertaken to (1) describe the cardiac structure and function and (2) to quantify the relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and echocardiographic parameters in female basketball players.

Design: A cross-sectional experimental design.

Setting: Controlled laboratory setting.

Participants: Professional, female basketball players (n = 18).

Intervention: 25(OH)D and echocardiographic screening at the midpoint of the in-season phase, over a 2-week period in late Fall.

Main outcome measures: 25(OH)D and echocardiographic parameters.

Results: A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was observed in the female players examined (77.8%), with most also displaying eccentric cardiac hypertrophy (77.8%). Nonsignificant, moderate correlations were found between 25(OH)D and structural echocardiographic parameters, including left atrium diameter (r = 0.34, P = 0.16), left ventricular (LV) end-systolic diameter (r = -0.46, P = 0.06), posterior wall thickness (r = 0.36, P = 0.14), LV mass (r = 0.30, P = 0.23), and LV index (r = 0.33, P = 0.18). Significant, large correlations were found between 25(OH)D and echocardiographic parameters indicative of systolic function, including LV ejection fraction (r = 0.59, P = 0.01), fractional shortening (r = 0.59, P = 0.01), and peak systolic mitral tissue velocity (r = 0.51, P = 0.003). Similarly, a significant, large correlation was found between 25(OH)D and diastolic function as indicated by mitral valve inflow deceleration time (r = 0.51, P = 0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest the importance of female basketball players maintaining 25(OH)D concentration, given its possible physiological benefits on cardiac structure and function.