Are the Levels of vitamin D and Those of Some Clinical Parameters in Athletes Diagnosed with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Different From Those in Healthy Athletes?
Sabriye Ercan
Sports Medicine Department, Dr. Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
Keywords: Medial tibial stress syndrome, biomechanical factors, vitamin D
Abstract
Objective: To determine the levels of some biomechanical factors and vitamin D in athletes diagnosed with medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and in healthy athletes.
Materials and Methods: Athletes diagnosed with MTSS and healthy athletes were included in the study between April 2017 and March 2018. Physical characteristics, lower extremity length, results of the navicular drop test, shoe sizes, MTSS scores, and serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus were examined
Results: Of the 33 patients (25 men and eight women), 26 were diagnosed with MTSS for the first time. The mean duration of symptoms was 2.0±2.5 months. MTSS score was 4.7±2.1 points. No significant difference was observed between the patient and control groups (n=25) in the age, height, duration of training, and the number of yearly and weekly training sessions (p˃0.05). Athletes diagnosed with MTSS had significantly higher body weight and body mass index (p˂0.05). Results revealed a significant difference in the lower extremity length between the group with MTSS (90.2±5.3 cm) and the control group (87.8±4.4 cm, p=0.02). Independent and paired group analysis displayed no right-left side difference (p˃0.05). The levels of vitamin D were not different between the two groups (MTSS group; 21.9±9.9 ng/ml, control group; 22.8±9.0 ng/ml, p˃0.05).
Conclusion: Some biomechanical factors may have greater impact than the levels of vitamin D on the development of MTSS. Although vitamin D levels of athletes diagnosed with MTSS did not differ from those of healthy athletes, they were below the normal range in both groups. Therefore, all athletes should maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
Cite this article as: Ercan S. Are the levels of vitamin D and those of some clinical parameters in athletes diagnosed with medial tibial stress syndrome different from those in healthy athletes? Turk J Sports Med. 2019;54(2):108-16.
