Vitamin D significantly increases muscle power and force in adolescent girls, according to a new study in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
For the study, researchers followed 99 adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 14, and took blood samples to measure the girls’ serum levels of vitamin D. Many were found to have low levels of vitamin D despite not presenting any symptoms.
Researchers used jumping mechanography to measure muscle power and force. According to the researchers, this method of testing is ideal as the muscles required to jump are those most often affected in subjects with vitamin D deficiency. Girls without vitamin D deficiency performed significantly better in these tests.
Source:
EurekAlert: Vitamin D Tied To Muscle Power In Adolescent Girls
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