Background To compare bone density accrual and markers of bone geometry and formation between female adolescents engaged and not engaged in artistic gymnastics (AGs). Methods This was a 12-month longitudinal study involving 20 female adolescents, including 10 controls and 10 gymnasts (AGs) aged 11 to 16 years. At baseline, the gymnasts had a minimum of 12 months of practice, and the controls reported no participation in any organized sport. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the lower limbs, upper limbs, spine, and whole body. In addition, BMD and geometrical properties of the femur were assessed. As a bone formation marker, osteocalcin level was measured. Results Femoral aspects were increased in the gymnasts by 19% ( P =0.009), 14% ( P =0.047), and 10% ( P =0.046) in the Ward's triangle, trochanter, and the overall bone, respectively, than in the control girls. Geometrical parameters, bone accrual, and osteocalcin levels were similar in both groups. The weekly training load explained 30.8% of all bone gains on the lower limbs and affected the density on parts of the femur. Conclusions The gymnasts, after a 12-month follow-up, demonstrated a higher BMD in the Ward's triangle and whole femur than the controls, as well as an improvement in femur density. These changes were mainly due to the weekly training load. Lastly, the gymnasts had significant bone accrual (after 12 months) in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and whole body.

BackgroundOsteoporosis is considered a public health problem with high worldwide prevalence. One approach to prevention is through the promotion of physical activity, especially exercise, during adolescence.MethodsThis study compared bone variables in different body segments in adolescents according to participation in track and field. The study included 34 adolescents (22 boys), of whom 17 were track and field athletes and 17 were control subjects. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and bone mineral content (BMC, g) were analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (total body stratified by body segments). Peak height velocity was used to estimate somatic maturation.ResultsAthletes had higher BMD (P=0.003) and BMC (P=0.011) values in the lower limbs and higher whole body BMD (P=0.025) than the control group. However, when adjusted for confounding factors, the difference was not maintained. The groups had similar lean soft tissue values (P=0.094). Training overload was positively correlated with BMD in the upper limbs (r=0.504; 95% confidence interval, 0.031-0.793). Although track and field athletes had higher BMD and BMC values in the lower limbs, these differences were not significant when adjusted for confounding factors.ConclusionsTrack and field participation in adolescence appears to influence BMD and BMC in lower limbs, and fat-free mass seems to mediate this effect. Also, higher training loads were found to be positive for bone health in upper limbs.

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-Aims:The promotion of sports participation during the early years of life is important not only because it promotes health during childhood and adolescence, but also because it has benefits in adulthood. This study was developed to identify the association between sports participation during the early years of life and adulthood, to analyze the non-participation in sports throughout life and to identify the correlates of non-participation in sports. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study. Methods: The sample was composed of 743 adults randomly selected in a medium-size Brazilian city. Non-participation in sports during childhood and adolescence was assessed through specific questions, and nonparticipation in sports in adulthood was assessed using the second section of Baecke questionnaire. Answering "no" in the three periods assessed (childhood, adolescence and adulthood) was characterized as non-participation in sports throughout life. Chronological age, sex, formal education, BMI, current job and ethnicity were considered covariates.Categorical data were expressed as rates and compared using chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Results:The prevalence of adults not engaged in sports throughout life was 58.5% (95% CI= 55.1 -62.1). Females (OR = 2.41

Bone health has become a concern in modern society due to the economic burden and impairment in quality of life caused by osteoporosis. 1 Osteoporotic fractures increase both healthcare costs and the risk of early mortality. 2-4 Taking into account the epidemiology of osteoporosis, women exhibit greater risk of developing osteoporosis than do men. This greater risk for the female sex is strongly determined by specific events that occur during adolescence. 5 The current literature shows how childhood and adolescence are complex phases that are critical periods for the development of bone mineral density (BMD) accrual. There is increasing acceptance of the hypothesis that osteoporosis may be a pediatric metabolic disease, with manifestations during adulthood. 6 Therefore, the peak bone mass reached during this period is a determinant of BMD observed during adulthood, and this constitutes a relevant determinant of the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood. 7 Among the variables capable of affecting bone health, sports participation plays an important role in the process of boosting bone gains during childhood and adolescence. 8 Thus, it is important to consider sports and resistance training as relevant tools for improving bone mineral density (BMD) 8-9 and joint stability, with consequently stronger bones. 11 Another relevant fact is that the rate of sports participation may differ between boys and girls, such that it is higher among males. 9,10-13 Moreover, during adolescence, there are several correlates affecting sex-related differences in gains of bone mineral content among athletes and non-athletes, such as maturation, muscle mass and dietary factors. 14,15