Vitamin D Status Predicts Physical Performance and Its Decline in Older Persons

Context: Vitamin D deficiency is common among older people and can cause mineralization defects, bone loss, and muscle weakness. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration with current physical performance and its decline over 3 yr among elderly. Design: The study consisted of a cross-sectional and longitudinal design (3-yr follow-up) within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Setting: An age- and sex-stratified random sample of the Dutch older population was used. Other Participants: Subjects included 1234 men and women (aged 65 yr and older) for cross-sectional analysis and 979 (79%) persons for longitudinal analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Physical performance (sum score of the walking test, chair stands, and tandem stand) and decline in physical performance were measured. Results: Serum 25-OHD was associated with physical performance after adjustment for age, gender, chronic diseases, degree of urbanization, body mass i...