Effects of resistance training on vitamin D serum levels and bodily composition in vitamin D deficient postmenopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in unfavorable changes in the body composition of postmenopausal women and it seems that exercise training may affect serum vitamin D level. Hence the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of resistance training on serum vitamin D level and body composition in postmenopausal vitamin D deficient women. Materials and Methods: Postmenopausal women with vitaminD deficiency (n=22) were selected using purposive sampling method and randomly assigned in two groups experiment (N=12) and control groups (N=10). The experiment group performed 2 days per week for 8 weeks low intensity exercise (20-30% 1RM). The training program performed the progressive overload principle with 3,4 , 5 set and 20,25 , 30 1RM percentage in successive weeks. The amount of subject’s sun exposure and vitamin D diet intake was monitored. Serum vitamin D, PTH and calcium levels in fasting and body composition were measured before and after the training program. Results: after 8 weeks of resistance training, the results showed a significant increase in serum vitamin D (P=0.02) level in resistance in compare to control groups. However, the findings revealed no significant changes in body weight (P=0.36), body composition (P>0.05), serum level of PTH (P=0.42) and calcium (P=0.31) level in resistance in compare to control group. Conclusion: vitamin D deficiency can significantly improve with exercise training and even without any changes in body composition, sun exposure and use of dietary supplements