Athletes with low levels of vitamin D could be up to three times more likely to contract cold in winter, according to new loughborough University (UK) research.
The study, which monitored 225 endurance athletes involved in regular intensive sports training such as cycling, triathlon, middle and long distance running or swimming, found that individuals with low vitamin D status had more days with upper respiratory tract illness symptoms during four months of winter training than athletes who had adequate or optimal vitamin D status. Athletes performing prolonged intensive exercise, or with heavy schedules of training and competition, catch more colds because the associated physical and mental stress affects their immune system.