Is VDR useful for Sport?

The utility of VDR genotyping for sport is limited and context-dependent. The vitamin D receptor mediates the effects of vitamin D on bone health, muscle function, and immune regulation. Some studies have linked VDR polymorphisms (e.g., FokI, BsmI, TaqI) to muscle strength, endurance, or injury risk, but effect sizes are small and findings inconsistent across populations. Lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, diet, and baseline vitamin D status have a much larger impact. Current evidence is mostly mechanistic or from small association studies; robust randomized trials are lacking. Therefore, a VDR gene test alone does not provide actionable, clinically meaningful guidance for athletic performance. It may be used as part of a broader nutritional assessment, but should not replace blood vitamin D measurement or personalized supplementation. For most athletes, maintaining optimal serum vitamin D levels (40–60 ng/ml) is more important than knowing their VDR genotype. Marketing claims that overstate the predictive power of such tests should be viewed with caution.