CSSD Micronutrient Needs in Athletes 3

Question 1

Below which serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is an athlete considered vitamin D deficient?

Accepted Answer

50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL)

Answer

A serum 25-OH vitamin D below 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) is defined as deficient by major guidelines, while values between 50–75 nmol/L may be insufficient for optimal musculoskeletal health in athletes.

Question 2

Foot-strike hemolysis in distance runners primarily depletes which micronutrient over time?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Answer

Repeated foot-strike impact ruptures red blood cells in plantar capillaries; the released hemoglobin is degraded and iron is lost in urine as hemosiderin, gradually depleting iron stores.

Question 3

Which food pairing best enhances absorption of non-heme iron from a plant-based meal?

Accepted Answer

Lentils served with vitamin C-rich bell peppers

Answer

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) converts ferric iron to the more soluble ferrous form and forms an absorbable complex, significantly increasing non-heme iron bioavailability.

Question 4

What distinguishes iron deficiency anemia from sports anemia (dilutional pseudoanemia) in laboratory evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Serum ferritin

Answer

Serum ferritin is low in true iron deficiency anemia but remains normal or elevated in sports anemia, where the apparent low hemoglobin results from expanded plasma volume rather than iron depletion.

Question 5

Indoor athletes and athletes training at northern latitudes are at greatest risk for deficiency of which micronutrient?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D

Answer

Vitamin D is synthesized in skin upon UVB exposure; reduced sunlight due to geographic latitude or predominantly indoor training severely limits endogenous production and increases deficiency risk.

(CSSD) Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics Practice Test

(CSSD) Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics Practice Test

CSSD Micronutrient Needs in Athletes 3