CSSD Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Vitamin D is particularly important for collegiate athletes due to its critical role in bone health, muscle function, and overall physical performance. Athletes engage in intense physical activity that can put stress on their bones, necessitating adequate levels of vitamin D to promote calcium absorption and maintain bone density. Additionally, vitamin D influences muscle strength and function, which are essential for athletic performance and recovery.

While sodium, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids all have their health benefits, they do not pose the same level of concern regarding deficiency for collegiate athletes as vitamin D. Sodium is generally abundant in a typical diet and plays a role in fluid balance and muscle contractions. Vitamin C is important for immune function and tissue repair but is less likely to be deficient in athletes following a balanced diet. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to heart health and may assist with inflammation and recovery but are not as crucial for immediate athletic performance needs as vitamin D is.