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Vitamin D Raises Blood Levels in Footballers, Not Speed or Power

A review of 312 football players found vitamin D raised blood levels, but jump, sprint and strength tests showed no gain.

By Dr. Josh Axe · November 14, 2026 · 1 source · Watch

At a glance

What they found: Vitamin D levels were higher than control in 212 players across six trials.
Who was studied: 312 football and futsal players across nine studies, mostly youth or young male athletes, lasting six to twelve weeks.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published November 6, 2026 found that vitamin D supplementation raised blood vitamin D levels in football and futsal players, but produced no measurable gain in jump, sprint, aerobic or muscular performance.

312players, 9 studies

25(OH)Dup vs control

The review, published November 6, 2026 in PLOS One, pooled 11 reports from nine independent studies covering 312 football and futsal players, mostly youth or young male athletes. Protocols ranged from daily or weekly oral vitamin D3 to a single high-dose bolus or injection, lasting six to twelve weeks in most trials. In the randomized-trial analysis, vitamin D raised circulating vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) versus control, a difference equal to a Hedges' g of 1.41, with a separate analysis showing levels 12.14 ng/mL higher than control. Pooled results showed no difference versus control for jump performance, sprint performance, aerobic capacity (VO2max) or muscular strength and power.

The authors noted that blood vitamin D is the standard marker of status, and the rise reflects supplementation's intended biochemical effect. They stated this response should not be read as evidence of better physical performance, since football performance depends on training load, match exposure, fitness, nutrition and recovery.

This separates two questions often blended together: does vitamin D correct a deficiency, and does that correction make someone faster or stronger. This review answers the first clearly and leaves the second open.

Vitamin D Raised Blood Levels, Not Performance Scores

312 football players, standardized effect size (Hedges' g) vs control

Vitamin D blood level

1.41 Hedges' g

Jump performance

0.21 Hedges' g

Muscular performance

0.19 Hedges' g

Sprint performance

-0.03 Hedges' g

Aerobic capacity

0 Hedges' g

PLOS One, 2026, Gu et al.

Certainty of evidence was rated low for vitamin D levels, jump and muscular performance, and very low for sprint and aerobic capacity, with totals as low as 77 to 154 players per outcome. Most participants were youth or young male players, so results may not apply to adult professional or female athletes. The authors call for larger, standardized trials next.

Dr. Axe’s Take

Correcting a vitamin D deficiency matters for bone health, immune function and recovery, even when it doesn't translate into a faster sprint time. I'd get vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test heading into winter, when skin makes almost no vitamin D from sunlight, and lean on fatty fish, egg yolks and sensible sun exposure rather than assuming a pill improves athletic output. If levels are already adequate, this review gives no reason to expect added strength or speed from supplementing further.

— Dr. Axe

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Study summary

Who: 312 football/futsal players, nine studies (11 reports); mostly youth or young male athletes; 10-69 per study.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized and two non-randomized/quasi-experimental trials, pooled.
Dose: Oral vitamin D3, 5,000-50,000 IU weekly or daily, a bolus up to 200,000 IU, or intramuscular 50,000 IU every two weeks; six to twelve weeks.
Primary result: Vitamin D levels were higher than control (Hedges' g 1.41, 95% CI 0.90-1.92; +12.14 ng/mL, 95% CI 5.84-18.43) in 212 players across six trials.
Secondary: No difference vs control: jump performance (g 0.21; 154 players), sprint (g -0.03; 113 players), aerobic capacity (g 0.00; 77 players), muscular performance (g 0.19; 146 players).
Funding / conflicts: Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Funding not found in the part of the paper that was read.
Date: Nov 6, 2026