Exercise, vitamin D and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health study

PhD student Alexander Rodriguez and BMedSc Honours Student Cecilia Xu from the Bone and Muscle Health Research Group are conducting a randomised controlled trial investigating if vitamin D enhances the benefits of exercise for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health in middle-aged and overweight older adults with low vitamin D status.

The study will measure bone density, body composition and aortic calcification on DXA (a type of X-ray) as well as a number of physical performance and strength indicators.

Participants will be randomly allocated to12 weeks of taking vitamin D supplements or a placebo, and all participants subsequently complete 12 weeks of exercise which includes one supervised class at the Monash Medical Centre (Clayton) and two classes at home per week. Instruction and telephone guidance and support is given to all participants throughout the study.

All participants will be provided with the results of their body composition and cardiovascular assessments as well as have all transport costs reimbursed.  

Eligibility criteria include being aged between 50 and 80 years; having a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 40 kg/m² and having low vitamin D (which is measured at Monash Medical Centre).

If you, your patients, family members or friends might be interested in this study, please contact Alexander or Cecilia:

Phone: 8572 2919

 Email: med-DEx_study@monash.edu

Alexander alexander.rodriguez@monash.edu

Cecilia clxu1@sudent.monash.edu