The association of VDR gene polymorphisms with serum vitamin D levels and injury predisposition in elite athletes of Kazakhstan

Gabdulkayum A. Amangeldikyzy S. Khassanova S. Yerezhepov A. Akilzhanov K. Kozhamkulov U. Rakhimova S. Kairov U. Yerezhepov D. Akilzhanova A.
March 2026 Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

European Journal of Applied Physiology
2026 #126 Issue 3 1773 - 1791 pp.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and serum vitamin D levels, as well as injury predisposition, in elite athletes from Kazakhstan. Methods: We recruited 137 elite athletes from Kazakhstan across nine different sports. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by Access 25(OH)D Vitamin D Total assay. The VDR gene polymorphisms were identified using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The association between VDR gene polymorphisms and serum vitamin D levels, as well as injury predisposition, was assessed using statistical methods. Results: Over 60% of the athletes had vitamin D insufficiency, and 30% were deficient. We found a statistically significant association between vitamin D status and ethnicity (χ² = 10.66, p < 0.01) and age (χ² = 7.40, p < 0.05). G/G genotype of VDR TaqI polymorphism showed a statistically significant association with vitamin D inadequacy in Asians (A/A-A/G vs. G/G, OR = 6.23, 95% CI 1.65–23.43, p < 0.01). The same G/G genotype of VDR TaqI polymorphism showed a statistically significant association with increased risk (A/A-AG vs G/G, OR = 5.56, 95% CI 1.41–21.91, p < 0.01) of injuries in athletes of Asian origin. Conclusion: A high prevalence of insufficient 25-(OH)D levels was observed. Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with ethnicity and age. G/G genotype of VDR TaqI polymorphism is associated with vitamin D insufficiency and increased risk of injuries in athletes of an Asian cohort. These findings may be useful for the development of personalized targeted approaches for diagnostics, nutrition, and injury prevention strategies.

Athletic performance , Sports injuries , Vitamin D deficiency , Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms

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Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
The National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
The National Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Medicine, Semey Medical University, Pavlodar Branch, Pavlodar, 140000, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
City Hospital #1, Pavlodar, 140000, Kazakhstan

Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
The National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation
The National Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Department of Biotechnology
Department of Medicine
Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
City Hospital #1

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