The Role of Vitamin D in Muscle Damage and Recovery Following Exercise: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is characterized by transient strength loss, muscle soreness, inflammation, and increases in circulating muscle-derived markers. Vitamin D may influence skeletal muscle recovery through effects on vitamin D receptor signaling, calcium handling, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and satellite-cell activity. Aim: This narrative review aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status or supplementation and recovery from EIMD, with particular emphasis on biochemical markers, inflammatory responses, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and restoration of muscle function. Material and Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 14 July 2026. Human observational and intervention studies involving healthy adults, physically active individuals, and athletes were prioritized. Preclinical studies were included only to explain potential mechanisms. The evidence was synthesized narratively according to biochemical, inflammatory, subjective, and functional outcomes. Results: Higher baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and vitamin D₃ supplementation were associated with improved recovery of muscle strength in several small studies. However, findings concerning creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, inflammatory mediators, and muscle soreness were inconsistent. Effects appeared to vary according to baseline vitamin D status, vitamin D form, dose, supplementation duration, exercise protocol, training status, season, and timing of assessment. Conclusions: Vitamin D may support selected aspects of post-exercise recovery, particularly restoration of muscle strength, but current evidence does not justify its use as a universal recovery-enhancing supplement. Further well-designed randomized trials are required.