A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone due to high activity levels.  This applies to all of our year round athletes that never really get a break in the action.  A stress fracture can cause you to miss a prolonged period of time from your sport to let it heal.

A recent study has shown a significantly increased risk of stress fractures in adolescent girl athletes that did not get enough vitamin D.  Another study showed decreased stress fractures in female military recruits that received supplementation.

In the winter as many as 71% of people on the pacific northwest are vitamin D deficient or insufficient.

Bottom Line: Get your vitamin D so you don’t need to take a break from the action!  The institute of medicine recommends 600 IU per day for people between the ages of 1 and 70.