The researchers studied the levels of vitamin D in about 100 college athletes. They also tested how fast the athletes can run, how high and how far they can jump, and how much they can do squats in one repetition.
Approximately one out of three athletes have adequate vitamin D levels (less than 72 nanomoles per liter of blood).
Athletes with adequate levels of vitamin D that can do squats 77 percent lighter than the lack of vitamin D.
The ability to run athletes who are deficient in vitamin D are also 18 percent more slowly, the ability to perform a vertical jump 15 percent lower, and the distance jumps to 80 percent shorter.
How could this happen? Theory says vitamin D may help muscle cells release calcium more efficiently during the process of muscle contraction, said study author Rachel Hildebrand, Ph.D.
