Researchers studied 16 Paralympic snowboarders during summer strength training to see how exercise affects their body’s chemical processes. They collected blood and urine samples at different training stages and found that strength training improved vitamin D levels and cholesterol numbers. The study also discovered that exercise activates the body’s hormone-making systems differently in male and female athletes. These findings suggest that tailored training programs might help athletes optimize their body chemistry and performance.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different types of strength training during summer affects the chemicals in Paralympic athletes’ blood and urine, particularly those related to hormones and cholesterol
  • Who participated: 16 elite Paralympic snowboarders (12 men and 4 women) who train at the national level. All were studied during their summer training season when they focus on building strength
  • Key finding: Strength training improved vitamin D levels and lowered harmful cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. The body’s hormone-making processes changed during training, with different patterns in male versus female athletes
  • What it means for you: If you do strength training, your body may naturally improve its cholesterol and vitamin D levels. However, this study is specific to elite Paralympic athletes, so results may differ for recreational exercisers or non-athletes. Talk to your doctor before making major training changes

The Research Details

Researchers followed 16 Paralympic snowboarders through three different summer training phases: adaptation (getting used to training), maximal strength (heavy lifting), and rapid strength (explosive movements). They collected blood and urine samples at each stage to measure chemicals related to cholesterol, vitamin D, and hormones. This approach allowed them to see how the body’s chemistry changed as training intensity and type changed. The study used advanced laboratory techniques to identify and measure specific chemicals in the urine and blood that reflect how the body processes fats and hormones.

By tracking body chemistry changes during training, researchers can understand how exercise affects athletes at a deeper level than just measuring performance. This information could help coaches and athletes optimize training programs and potentially improve both health and athletic performance. The study is particularly valuable because it looks at both male and female athletes, showing that training affects their bodies differently

This is a small study with only 16 athletes, which limits how much we can generalize the findings to other people. The study was well-designed with multiple measurement points, which strengthens confidence in the results. However, because there’s no comparison group of non-training athletes, we can’t be completely certain that training alone caused the changes. The study focuses on elite Paralympic athletes, so results may not apply to average exercisers

What the Results Show

Strength training improved vitamin D levels in the athletes’ blood, moving them from deficiency (too low) to insufficiency (still low but better). This improvement was most noticeable during the maximal strength phase. Harmful cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides both decreased significantly after the maximal and rapid strength training phases, suggesting that strength training helps clean up the blood chemistry. The body’s hormone-making pathways became more active during training, indicating that exercise triggers the body to produce and process hormones differently. Male and female athletes showed different patterns in these hormone changes, with males showing more overall changes in their urine chemistry.

The study identified specific chemicals in the urine that changed during different training phases. In male athletes, 13 different chemicals appeared during maximal strength training and 9 during rapid strength training. Female athletes showed 12 and 8 different chemicals respectively. These chemical changes suggest that male and female bodies respond to strength training in distinct ways. The research also found that certain hormone chemicals in female athletes were connected to vitamin D levels, while male athletes showed connections between their chemical changes and both cholesterol and vitamin D

Previous research has shown that exercise improves cholesterol and vitamin D levels, and this study confirms those findings in elite athletes. However, this is one of the first studies to look in detail at how different types of strength training (maximal versus rapid) affect the body’s hormone chemistry differently in men and women. The findings align with what we know about exercise benefits but add new detail about the specific chemical pathways involved

The study included only 16 athletes, with just 4 women, making it hard to draw strong conclusions about female athletes specifically. All participants were elite Paralympic snowboarders, so results may not apply to recreational exercisers, non-athletes, or people with disabilities other than those represented. The study didn’t include a control group of people who didn’t train, so we can’t be 100% certain that training caused all the changes observed. The study was conducted during summer training, so results might differ during other seasons or training types

The Bottom Line

If you do strength training, you may see improvements in vitamin D and cholesterol levels, particularly during intense training phases. However, these findings come from elite athletes, so individual results will vary. Consider having your vitamin D and cholesterol checked before and after starting a new training program. Moderate confidence: These results are promising but based on a small group of specialized athletes

Elite and competitive athletes, particularly those in winter sports, may find this most relevant. Coaches designing training programs could use this information to understand how different training types affect athletes’ bodies. People interested in optimizing their health through exercise may find the vitamin D and cholesterol improvements encouraging. This study is less directly applicable to casual exercisers or people with different types of disabilities than those studied

Based on this research, improvements in vitamin D and cholesterol appear to develop over weeks to months of consistent strength training. The most significant changes occurred during the maximal strength phase, suggesting that more intense training may produce faster results. However, individual timelines will vary based on starting levels, genetics, and training consistency

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly strength training sessions (type, duration, intensity) alongside monthly blood work results for vitamin D and cholesterol levels. Create a simple log noting which training phase you’re in (adaptation, maximal strength, or rapid strength) to correlate with your health metrics
  • If using a fitness app, set a goal to complete 2-3 structured strength training sessions per week, varying between heavy lifting days and explosive movement days. Log your sessions and note any changes in energy levels or recovery. Schedule quarterly blood work to monitor vitamin D and cholesterol trends
  • Establish a baseline with blood work before starting a new strength training program. Retest every 8-12 weeks to track changes in vitamin D and cholesterol. Use the app to maintain consistency with training frequency and intensity. Note any seasonal changes, as this study was conducted during summer training

This research describes findings from elite Paralympic athletes and may not apply to all individuals. Before starting a new strength training program or making changes based on this research, consult with your healthcare provider or a certified fitness professional. This study is observational and does not prove that training alone caused the observed changes. Individual results vary based on genetics, baseline health, age, and other factors. If you have concerns about your vitamin D or cholesterol levels, work with your doctor to develop an appropriate plan for your specific situation.