Effects of vitamin D supplementation on pulmonary function in postmenopausal women following an aquatic exercise program

Objective: This study sought to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation and aquatic exercise on pulmonary function in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: This prospective and controlled study included 104 women (62 +/- 6.5 years) divided into three groups: a control group lacking vitamin D and calcium supplementation which remained sedentary (CGn = 17)a control group receiving vitamin D and calcium supplementation which remained sedentary (CDG, n = 33)and a group that completed aquatic exercises three times a week and received vitamin D and calcium supplementation (DTG, n = 54). Data before and after 6 months of the study were analyzed, including serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and calcium concentrations, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), and cirtometry. Results: We observed significant increases in 25(OH) D concentrations in CDG (52.9 +/- 2.4 to 69.1 +/- 2.2nmol/Lp < 0.0001) and DTG groups (55.5 +/- 3 to 71.5 +/- 3 nmol/Lp < 0.0001). PEF increased by 7 +/- 2% (p = 0.0080) in CDG group and 11 +/- 2% (p < 0.0001) in DTG group, whereas FVC increased by 7 +/- 2% (p = 0.0016) in the CDG group and 10 +/- 2% (p < 0.0001) in the DTG group, whereas CG had no changes in any of these parameters. The increment value of cirtometry in DTG group (+ 43 +/- 3%) were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than those in CG (-4 +/- 8%) and CDG (+ 4 +/- 9%) groups. Conclusion: Our data suggest that vitamin D supplementation improves pulmonary function parameters in postmenopausal women.Fapesp (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo)Federal AgencFederal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination - Capes)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Disciplina Endocrinol, Fac Med,Unifesp,EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Judas Tadeu, Fisiol Translac, Programa Posgrad Educ Fis & Ciencias Envelhecimen, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Escola Educ Fis & Esporte, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Disciplina Endocrinol, Fac Med,Unifesp,EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 08/50179-9Web of Scienc