Strategies that enhance the acquisition of bone mass may be protective against osteoporosis. BMD was compared in 20 artistic gymnasts (10 boys; 10 girls) and 20 untrained children ages 7-8 years. Higher regional values of BMD were observed in female gymnasts than untrained girls. If retained to adulthood, this higher BMD may protect skeletal integrity in later life.Strategies that enhance the acquisition of bone mass in children may assist with the prevention of osteoporosis. This study explored the effects of regular high-impact and weight-bearing activity before the age of 7 years on total and regional bone mineral density (BMD). Twenty artistic gymnasts (10 boys and 10 girls) and 20 untrained children, 7-8 years of age, were recruited. The untrained children were matched to gymnasts by sex, height, weight, and age. Female gymnasts trained 8 -10 h per week and had trained regularly for 3-4 years. Male gymnasts trained 4 -6 h per week and had trained for 1-2 years. Measurements of bone mineral density were made using DXA for total body BMD (TBBMD); lumbar spine, both areal (aSBMD) and volumetric (vSBMD); total spine; pelvis; arms; and legs. Significant mean differences (8 -10%) in aSBMD, vSBMD, arm BMD, and TBBMD were observed between female gymnasts and untrained girls (p < 0.05: aSBMD, vSBMD, and TBBMD body mass (BM); p < 0.01: arm BMD). A nonsignificant trend toward a higher TBBMD/BM and arm BMD was observed in male gymnasts compared with untrained boys. Trends toward a higher BMD within the pelvis, legs, and total spine were also observed in gymnasts. There were no differences in total and regional BMD between untrained boys and untrained girls. The results suggest that gymnastics training before the age of 7 years enhances the acquisition of bone mass at selected skeletal sites.

The aim of this study was to determine the range of movement in gymnastic and dance populations. Sixty-five participants (41 females, 24 males; mean age 21.4 years) were assessed. The sample included dancers and gymnasts ranging from novice and club standard to international and professional status. Non-specialized physical education students acted as controls. Range of movement was measured at the shoulders, hips, lumbar spine and ankles using a Loebl hydrogoniometer, and inherent joint laxity was assessed using Beighton and coworkers' adaptation of the Carter and Wilkinson 9-point scale. The right and left sides of the body were assessed and measures of active and passive motion were recorded. A graded increase in laxity was observed from controls, through novice gymnasts, to dancers and finally international gymnasts. The greater laxity of females than males was also confirmed. Dancers and gymnasts had a greater passive range of movement in all joints, which was partly inherited and partly acquired. There was a large difference between their active and passive ranges, which appeared to render the joints unstable.

Loading of the skeleton can be achieved through weight-bearing exercise which is important for the development of a functionally and mechanically appropriate bone structure. Our objectives were to determine hip cross-sectional geometry in elite male athletes (n=54) subjected to different loading modalities (gymnastics, endurance running and swimming) and non-athletic, age-matched controls (n=20). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA, GE Healthcare, UK) measurements of the total body (for body composition) and the left proximal femur were obtained. The Advanced Hip Structural Analysis (AHA) programme was used to determine conventional areal bone mineral density (aBMD), hip axis length (HAL), crosssectional area (CSA), and cross -sectional moment of inertia (CSMI). Bone strength indices were derived using the femoral strength index (FSI) (Yoshikawa et al, 1994). Gymnasts and runners had significantly greater age, height and weight adjusted aBMD than swimmers and controls (p<0.05). Gymnasts and runners had greater resistance to axial loads (CSA) and runners had increased resistance against bending forces (CSMI), compared to swimmers and controls (p<0.01). Hip axis length was greater in controls and this group also had lower indices of bone strength (FSI) compared to gymnasts and runners (1.4 vs 1.8 and 2.1 respectively, p<0.005). Lean body mass correlated significantly with aBMD, p<0.01) and correlations were stronger in controls (r=0.657-0.759, p<0.005).Our findings suggest the importance of regular physical loading and lean mass for promoting bone density and bone structural properties. Further research examining the contribution of different loading modalities to specific skeletal geometrical properties would be of value to inform strategies directed at maximising bone strength and thus fracture prevention, through sport and exercise.

Recent reports indicate that bone strength is not proportional to body weight in obese populations.Elite rugby players have a similar body mass index (BMI) to obese individuals, but differ markedly with low body fat, high lean mass and frequent skeletal exposure to loading through weight-bearing exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between body weight, composition and bone strength in male rugby players characterised by high BMI and high lean mass.Fifty two elite male rugby players and 32 non-athletic, age-matched controls differing in BMI ; p=0.02) received one total body and one total hip DXA scan. Hip Structural Analysis of the proximal femur was used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and cross-sectional bone geometry. Multiple linear regression was computed to identify independent variables associated with total hip and femoral neck BMD and HSA-derived bone geometry parameters. Analysis of covariance was used to explore differences between groups. Further comparisons between groups were performed after normalising parameters to body weight and to lean mass. There was a trend for a positive fat-bone relationship in rugby players, and a negative relationship in controls, although neither reached statistical significance. Correlations with lean mass were stronger for bone geometry (r 2 =0.408-0.520) than for BMD (r 2 =0.267-0.293).Relative to body weight, BMD was 6.7% lower in rugby players than controls (p<0.05). Rugby players were heavier than controls, with greater lean mass and BMD (p<0.01). Relative to lean mass, BMD was 10-14.3% lower in rugby players (p<0.001). All bone geometry measures except cross-sectional area, were proportional to body weight and lean mass. To conclude, BMD in elite rugby players was reduced in proportion to body weight and lean mass. However, their superior bone geometry suggests that overall bone strength may be adequate for loading demands. Fat-bone interactions in athletes engaged in high impact sports require further exploration.

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