TY - JOUR TI - Cardiorespiratory fitness in males, and upper limbs muscular strength in females, are positively related with 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma concentrations in European adolescents: the HELENA study AU - Valtuena, J. AU - Gracia-Marco, L. AU - Huybrechts, I. AU - Breidenassel, AU - C. AU - Ferrari, M. AU - Gottrand, F. AU - Dallongeville, J. AU - Sioen, I. AU - and Gutierrez, A. AU - Kersting, M. AU - Kafatos, A. AU - Manios, Y. and AU - Widhalm, K. AU - Moreno, L. A. AU - Gonzalez-Gross, M. AU - Helena Study AU - Grp JO - QJM: An International Journal of Medicine PY - 2013 VL - 106 TODO - 9 SP - 809-821 PB - Oxford University Press SN - 1460-2725, 1460-2393 TODO - 10.1093/qjmed/hct089 TODO - null TODO - Background: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (<75 nmol/l) has been previously reported in European adolescents. Vitamin D deficiency has been related to physical fitness and adiposity but it is not clearly known whether this relationship applies to growing children and adolescents. Aim: To determine how body composition and physical fitness are related to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] concentrations in European adolescents. Design: The HEalthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence-CSS study was a multi-centre cross-sectional study. Methods: Plasma 25(OH) D, body composition and physical fitness measures were obtained in 1006 European adolescents (470 males) aged 12.5-17.5 years. Stepwise regression and ANCOVA were performed by gender using 25(OH) D as dependent variable, with body composition, physical fitness as independent variables controlling for age, seasonality and latitude. Results: For males, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) (B = 0.189) and body mass index (BMI) (B = -0.124) were independently associated with 25(OH) D concentrations (both P < 0.05). For females, handgrip strength (B = 0.168; P < 0.01) was independently associated with 25(OH) D concentrations. Those adolescents at lower BMI and high fitness score presented significant higher 25(OH) D concentrations than those at lower fitness score in the other BMI groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Cardiorespiratory fitness and upper limbs muscular strength are positively associated with 25(OH) D concentrations in male and female adolescents, respectively. Adiposity in males and low fat free mass in females are related to hypovitaminosis D. The interaction between fitness and BMI has a positive effect on 25(OH) D concentrations. Therapeutic interventions to correct the high rates of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents should consider physical fitness. ER -