Comparing Blood Serum Values of Vitamin D and Calcium in Division I Female Athletes
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Abstract
The purpose was to compare blood serum levels of vitamin D and calcium to bone mineral density and previous fracture in Division I women’s basketball and soccer athletes. We recruited thirty athletes (19.53 ± 1.105 years); NCAA Division I soccer (n=21) and basketball (n=9). The calcium average was 9.61 ± .39 mg/dL for soccer and basketball was 10.01 ± 0.33 mg/dL. Vitamin D average for soccer was 44.48 ± 12.09 ng/DL and basketball 52.00 ± 17.44 ng/dL. Total bone mineral density measurements for the two groups did not differ at a statistically significant level (t[11.9] = 0.74, p = .472, g = 0.36). The results indicated bone mineral density and previous stress fractures were not statistically significant (p = .663, g = 0.65).