Myths vs facts: VKORC1 and Sport

VKORC1 encodes vitamin K epoxide reductase, a key enzyme in the vitamin K cycle. It influences blood coagulation (via vitamin K-dependent clotting factors) and bone metabolism (via osteocalcin). In sports, it is sometimes speculated that VKORC1 variants might affect bone density or recovery from injury. Fact: No robust human study directly links VKORC1 genotypes to athletic performance, endurance, or injury risk. Known variants (e.g., rs9923231) are primarily associated with warfarin dosing – a drug rarely relevant in sports. The evidence is purely mechanistic; extrapolations to sport are speculative. If you know your VKORC1 status, do not derive training or nutrition recommendations from it. Vitamin K can be obtained from diet, but gene-based supplementation is unsupported. Bottom line: Myth – VKORC1 has no proven relevance for sport.