Serum levels of bone formation and resorption markers in relation to vitamin D status in professional gymnastics and physically active men during upper and lower body high-intensity exercise

Purpose/introduction To compare serum levels of bone turnover markers in athletes and non-athletes, and to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and exercise-induced changes in biomarker levels. Methods Sixteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EG; 21.4 +/- 0.8 years-old) and 16 physically active men (the control group, PAM; 20.9 +/- 1.2 years-old) performed lower and upper body 30-s Wingate anaerobic tests (LBWT and UBWT, respectively). For biomarker analysis, blood samples were collected before, and 5 and 30 min after exercise. Samples for vitamin D levels were collected before exercise. N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) was analysed as a marker of bone formation. C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) was analysed as a marker of bone resorption. Results UBWT fitness readings were better in the EG group than in the PAM group, with no difference in LBWT readings between the groups. UBWT mean power was 8.8% higher in subjects with 25(OH)D-3 levels over 22.50 ng/ml and in those with 24,25(OH)(2)D-3 levels over 1.27 ng/ml. Serum CTX levels increased after both tests in the PAM group, with no change in the EG group. PINP levels did not change in either group; however, in PAM subjects with 25(OH)D-3 levels above the median, they were higher than those in EG subjects. Conclusion Vitamin D metabolites affect the anaerobic performance and bone turnover markers at rest and after exercise. Further, adaptation to physical activity modulates the effect of anaerobic exercise on bone metabolism markers.

Automated summary

The study compared serum levels of bone turnover markers in athletes and non-athletes, and evaluated the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and exercise-induced changes in biomarker levels. Results showed that vitamin D metabolites affect anaerobic performance and bone turnover markers both at rest and after exercise, with further adaptation to physical activity modulating the effect of anaerobic exercise on bone metabolism markers.