Tools
Tools
O'Leary, Thomas J., Izard, Rachel M., Jackson, Sarah, Walsh, Neil P., Carswell, Alexander T., Oliver, Samuel J., Allan, Donald, Rhodes, Lesley E., Tang, Jonathan C. Y. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6305-6333, Fraser, William D. and Greeves, Julie P.
(2025)
Vitamin D and tibial bone density, geometry, and microarchitecture in male military recruits: An observational study and randomized controlled trial.
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 40 (7).
847–859.
ISSN 0884-0431
Preview |
PDF (OLeary_VitaminDAndBone_Manuscript_Accepted)
- Accepted Version
Download (3MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Vitamin D may mitigate bone stress injuries in military training by modulating changes in bone. This cross-sectional observational study (Study 1) and randomized controlled trial (Study 2) investigated associations between vitamin D metabolites and tibial structure and density, and the effect of vitamin D supplementation on tibial adaptations to military training. A total of 343 (Study 1) and 194 (Study 2) male British Army recruits participated. Circulating vitamin D metabolites (biologically “active” and “inactive”) and tibial structure were measured in participants during week 1 and week 12 (Study 2 only) of initial military training. Associations between vitamin D metabolites and HRpQCT outcomes at week 1 were tested in Study 1. Participants in Study 2 were randomly assigned to vitamin D (oral pill or simulated sunlight) or placebo (placebo pill or placebo simulated sunlight) supplementation for 12 wk designed to achieve vitamin D sufficiency. There was no association between total 25(OH)D or vitamin D receptor single-nucleotide polymorphisms and any measure of density, geometry, or microarchitecture (p ≥ .063). Higher 1,25(OH)2D was associated with lower cortical porosity and perimeter (p ≤ .040). Higher total 24,25(OH)2D was associated with higher trabecular number and lower trabecular thickness (p = .016). Higher 25(OH)D:24,25(OH)2D (VMR 1) was associated with higher trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, and cortical porosity (p ≤ .034). Higher 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D (VMR 2) was associated with lower trabecular number, and higher trabecular spacing and thickness (p ≤ .035). There was no effect of vitamin D supplementation on any tibial outcome. Training decreased trabecular area (−0.1%), thickness (−4.4%), and separation (−2.1%), and increased cortical thickness (0.8%) and area (0.9%) (p ≤ .042). Vitamin D metabolites and their ratios were associated with tibial size and microarchitecture, but vitamin D supplementation had no impact on the adaptive response to military training.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Data availability statement: Pending approval from the UK Ministry of Defence, the data that support the findings of this study will be made available from the corresponding author. Funding information: This study was funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (Army). |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | military,musculoskeletal injury,nutrition,stress fracture,sunlight exposure,endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism,orthopedics and sports medicine ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2712 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Jun 2025 13:30 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Sep 2026 22:21 |
| URI: | https://uea-test-2026.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/99630 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/jbmr/zjaf064 |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |