25(OH)D STATUS OF ELITE ATHLETES WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY IN WINTER RELATIVE TO LIFESTYLE FACTORS

G. Simpson1, H. Brzozowski1, K. Pritchett1, R. Pritchett1, D. Ogan1, E. Broad2, M. LaCroix3 1 Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, 2 US Olympic Committee, Chula Vista, CA, 3 Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, Vancouver, BC Due to the potential negative impact of low Vitamin D status on performance-related factors and the potentially higher risk of low Vitamin D status in a SCI population, research is warranted to determine whether elite athletes with a SCI have sufficient 25(OH)D levels. PURPOSE: to examine the seasonal prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency among elite athletes with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), and (2) to determine whether lifestyle factors, and muscle performance/function are r elated to vitamin D status in athletes with a SCI. METHODS: Thirty nine members of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association & British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association, and the US Olympic Committee Paralympic program from outdoor and indoor sports. Dietary and lifestyle factors, and serum 25(OH)D concentrations were assessed during the Winter (February/ March). RESULTS: Mean + SD serum 25(OH)D concentration was 67.4 + 25.5 mmol/L (range from 20 to 117.3 mmol/L) in Winter. In the Winter, 15.4% of participants were considered vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D \u3c 50 mmol/L) whereas 41% had 25(OH)D concentrations that would be considered insufficient (\u3c80 mmol/L). Pearson correlations for 20M sprint time and 25(OH)D were not significant during the Winter (r = -.03, p = .45), or for handgrip strength and 25(OH)D during the Winter (r = .08, p = .35). CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of elite athletes with an SCI have insufficient (41%) and deficient (15.4%) 25(OH)D status in the Winter. Furthermore, a seasonal decline in vitamin D status was not observed in the current study