Vitamin D levels and bone mineral density of middle-aged premenopausal female football players: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: The number of football teams in the senior categories has recently increased. Since outdoor sports entail players being exposed to sunlight, playing football may contribute to maintaining vitamin D stores and body mineral density and preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine bone mineral density and vitamin D levels in middle-aged premenopausal female football players. Methods: The participants were premenopausal females in their 40s. We evaluated bone mineral density of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck; serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which is the indicator of body vitamin D stores; and body composition. In addition, we administered a questionnaire survey on exercise habits and lifestyle. Ninety-two participants were placed into three groups: the football group (n=27), volleyball group (n=40), and non-exercise group (n=25). Results: Bone mineral density was higher in the football and volleyball groups than in the non-exercise group. The volleyball group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck than the non-exercise group. The football group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck than the non-exercise group. Serum 25-OHD levels were the highest in the football group and were significantly higher in the volleyball and non-exercisegroups. Conclusions: The present study found that middle-aged premenopausal football playershad higher body vitamin D levels and bone mineral densities than non-active females. These results suggest that playing football may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis.