Effect of vitamin D on muscle strength and relevance in regard to osteoporosis prevention

A successful prevention strategy for fractures in the elderly should not be limited to an improvement in bone mineral density. Equally important is the prevention of falls. Thus, 90% of fractures in the elderly are associated with a fall and 30% of all ambulatory, and 50% of institutionalized elderly age 65 years and older fall at least once a year. Fall incidence increases 10% per decade thereafter. According to recent studies, vitamin D and calcium supplementation may be a promising treatment strategy targeting both bone mineral density, as well as muscle strength and the risk of falling. The protective effect of vitamin D on fractures has been attributed to the established moderate benefit of vitamin D on bone mineral density. However, an alternative explanation might be that vitamin D affects factors directly related to muscle strength, thus, reducing fracture risk through improved function and fall prevention, in addition to its benefits on calcium homeostasis.