https://doi.org/10.4081/gc.2026.14527
Vitamin D supplementation enhances neuromuscular function in older adults: controlled clinical trial
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Published: 24 March 2026
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with impaired neuromuscular performance and increased risk of falls in older adults. Supplementation may improve physical function, but evidence remains inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on neuromuscular performance among older adults with vitamin D insufficiency.
A single-blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 participants (aged 60-75 years) with serum vitamin D levels <30 nmol, recruited from the Geriatric Unit of the institution. Participants were randomized into intervention (vitamin D 60,000 IU weekly for 12 weeks, n=30) and placebo (identical capsules, n=30) groups. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included sociodemographic data, serum vitamin D, and neuromuscular function using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB: balance, chair stand, gait speed). Data were analyzed using chi-square and paired t-tests, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups except for socioeconomic status. After 12 weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements in serum vitamin D levels and neuromuscular performance compared with placebo. Gait speed improved with a relative reduction in time of 73% (p=0.006). Chair stand test performance improved by a mean difference of 2.67 seconds, reflecting a 90% relative change (p<0.001). Balance scores also improved significantly (p<0.001).
Vitamin D supplementation led to significant gains in neuromuscular performance in older adults with insufficiency. These findings suggest that regular supplementation may serve as a simple, low-cost intervention to improve functional outcomes and potentially reduce fall risk in older adults.
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Ethics Approval
ArrayCRediT authorship contribution
Sandeep Saxena: data collection, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript editing. Anuradha Yadav: study concept and design, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript writing. Both authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
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