Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Boys: Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Physical inactivity of children can be a precursor of reduced bone mineral density, considered to be a typical problem only in old age. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density in 96 Polish boys aged 14–17 years with varied physical activity (swimmers, track and field athletes, non-athletes) and the effect of bone composition, birth weight and breastfeeding during infancy on bone parameters. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were performed according to the kinanthropometric standards. Bone parameters of the forearm were measured by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data on the infant’s birth weight and the length of breastfeeding were collected during direct interviews with mothers. The strongest links with bone parameters were found for the type of physical activity and birth weight. Regardless of birth weight, track and field athletes had the most advantageous bone parameters (mainly sT-score prox values). Swimmers with normal or low birth weight had less favourable sT-score prox values than non-athletes. The type of physical activity proved to be an important determinant of bone parameters. Childhood and adolescence are important periods of bone development and increasing the content of bone mineral components, and the bone status in later years of life depends to a large extent on this period. The perinatal period, especially the correct birth weight of the child, not only has a significant effect on general health, but also on bone status.

Dairy product consumption, eating habits, sedentary behaviour and physical activity association with bone mineral density among adolescent boys: a cross-sectional observational study

“…The results of Binkley et al [ 12 ] showed no significant association of MVPA with better bone status. Kopiczko et al [ 22 ] observed that the type and level of PA proved to be an important determinant of forearm bone parameters in boys. In this study significant differences were observed in BMD and BMC between groups of boys who are involved in track and field sports, classified as forms of activity with high osteogenic index (OI), and groups of not training and also training in the water.…”

“…Daily quality control and calibration of the equipment was performed. The coefficient of variation was not determined as it was considered unethical to measure a child several times [ 22 ]. Somatic measurements were taken as recommended to the standards of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry [ 26 ].…”

“…According to research, body composition and health behaviour are influenced by socio-economic factors [ 18 – 20 ]. Among the most important factors isthe level of PA [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Adolescents – A Practical Review

“…Physical activity that involves high impact activity in adolescence is well recognised as having positive effects on BMD [55] but only in the presence of energy balance. Young wrestling/judo participants and sprinters have been identified as having higher BMD than endurance athletes and swimmers, and those who are inactive [56][57][58]. A low BMD has been associated with adolescents who have specialised early into endurance running [59], and risk factors for low BMD in male adolescent runners include body weight < 85 % expected, weekly mileage > 30 miles, history of stress fracture and less than one serving of calcium per day [60].…”

Can Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence Be Associated with Higher Intensities of Physical Activity in Adult Life? A Retrospective Study in Community-Dwelling Adults

“…Sports practice in youth has shown to improve several parameters of health, including cardiac autonomic control [ 1 ], bone mineral density [ 2 , 3 ], lower back pain [ 4 ], quality of life and sleep [ 5 , 6 ]. During childhood and adolescence, sports practice has been very popular and helps with the achievement of PA recommendations, as the World Health Organization recommends that children and adolescents perform at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) every day [ 7 ].…”