Vitamin D3 supplementation enhances the effect of aerobic water-based training on physical fitness indices in obese and overweight menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.

2025-07-30
Women's health (London, England) 21
- Foroozandeh Zaravar
- Golamhossein Tamaddon
- Mohammadamin Safari
- Leila Zaravar
- Maryam Koushkie Jahromi

PubMed: 40735907
DOI: 10.1177/17455057251361255

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 40 postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese and had insufficient or deficient levels of serum vitamin D
Methods: Parallel-group randomized controlled trial; four groups: Water-based training + vitamin D, water-based training, vitamin D, control; intervention of water-based aerobic exercise and vitamin D3 supplementation for 8 weeks, three times a week
Duration: 8 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Background

Obesity is associated with decreased physical performance, especially in older individuals. Some studies have examined the impact of exercise on obesity outcomes as part of a palliative care program.

Objective

This parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of water-based aerobic exercise training and vitamin D3 supplementation on body mass index (BMI) and physical performance in postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese and had insufficient or deficient levels of serum vitamin D.

Design

This was an experimental study.

Methods

Forty women were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Water-based training + vitamin D (WTD), water-based training (WT), vitamin D (D), and control. The training program (aerobic-based exercise) and vitamin D3 supplementation were conducted for 8 weeks, three times a week. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention.

Results

The WTD group showed significant improvement in BMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed compared to all other groups (p > 0.05), and significant enhancements in right and left leg static balance and gait speed compared to the D and control groups (p < 0.05). The WT group demonstrated improvements in handgrip strength compared to the control group and enhancements in right and left leg static balance and gait speed compared to the D and control groups (p < 0.05). Vitamin D3 supplementation improved handgrip strength compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Water-based training with or without vitamin D3 supplementation significantly improved physical fitness indices, with combination showing the most pronounced effects. Vitamin D3 supplementation alone did not have a significant impact on most physical fitness measures.

Research Insights

Vitamin D→Improved Gait Speed
Vitamin D3 supplementation alone did not have a significant impact on most physical fitness measures.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified (vitamin D3 supplementation)
Vitamin D→Improved Handgrip Strength
The WTD group showed significant improvement in BMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed compared to all other groups (p > 0.05); Vitamin D3 supplementation improved handgrip strength compared to the control group (p < 0.05)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified (vitamin D3 supplementation)
Vitamin D→Improved Static Balance
Vitamin D3 supplementation alone did not have a significant impact on most physical fitness measures.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified (vitamin D3 supplementation)
Vitamin D→Reduced Body Mass Index
Vitamin D3 supplementation alone did not have a significant impact on most physical fitness measures.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified (vitamin D3 supplementation)