The relationship between serum vitamin D, bone mineral density, and injury in collegiate acrobatics and tumbling athletes.

This article focuses on the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD), serum vitamin D (SvD), and injury incidence among female collegiate acrobatics and tumbling (A&T) athletes. In a study of 42 NCAA Division I female A&T athletes, results showed that bases had significantly higher lumbar spine BMD than tops, while SvD levels decreased significantly over an eight-week fall training period but did not differ by position or injury status. No significant associations were found between BMD, SvD, and injury incidence, despite participants exhibiting generally high BMD and some vitamin D insufficiency. The findings suggest that the high-impact nature of A&T may contribute to elevated BMD independent of SvD, and highlight the need for further research considering additional factors such as dietary intake and hormonal status.