Determinants of Forearm Bone Mineral Density among Early Adolescents Female Gymnasts and Swimmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51371/issn.1840-2976.592Keywords:
bone mineralization, gymnastics, swimming, nutrition, dairy products, osteogenic index, pubertal ageAbstract
Purpose: Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) undergo significant changes during life. Among
athletes, skeletal health is one of the key elements determining the length and quality of a sports career.
Methods: This study aims to identify and compare the key determinants of forearm BMD among early adolescent female
gymnasts (G), swimmers (S), and a non-training group (N), with a focus on training type, nutritional factors, fracture history,
and anthropometric characteristics that may influence bone health during critical periods of growth and development. It
examined 45 girls aged 10.70 ± .90 years. BMD and BMC of the forearm in the distal (dis) and proximal (prox) segments were
measured by densitometry. Dairy consumption and eating habits were assessed by means of a nutritional interview. Basic
somatic measurements were carried out. Somatic maturation status, and puberty rate were determined.
Results: All the analyzed bone parameters were significantly higher in group G compared to S and N (η2> .14; large effect;
P< .001). Significantly more often, BMD below normal was recorded in groups S and N vs G. ANCOVA covariance analysis
was used to assess the strength of the relationship between forearm bone parameters and biological variables, nutritional
variables, and physical activity. The results of covariance analyses showed that BMD dis was significantly influenced by
somatic maturation status, and physical activity (adj. R²= .65; P< .001). A Similar interaction was shown for BMC prox (adj.
R²= .51; P< .001). BMD prox was significantly influenced by physical activity (adj. R²= .60; P< .001). A Similar interaction was
shown for BMC dis (adj. R²= .38; P< .01). Z-score was significantly influenced by dairy products (n/day) and physical activity
(adj. R²= .54; P< .001).
Conclusions: Physical activity, especially high-impact gymnastic training, turned out to be the strongest determinant of bone
parameters of the forearm in girls.
