Hip and spine bone mineral density are greater in master sprinters, but not endurance runners compared with non-athletic controls

Abstract

SummaryWe examined bone density in older athletes and controls. Sprinters had greater hip and spine bone density than endurance athletes and controls, whereas values were similar in the latter two groups. These results could not be explained by differences in impact, muscle size or power between sprint and endurance athletes.PurposeWe examined the relationship between prolonged participation in regular sprint or endurance running and skeletal health at key clinical sites in older age, and the factors responsible for any associations which we observed.MethodsWe recruited 38 master sprint runners (28 males, 10 females, mean age 71 ± 7 years), 149 master endurance runners (111 males, 38 females, mean age 70 ± 6 years) and 59 non-athletic controls (29 males, 30 females, mean age 74 ± 5 years). Dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD), body composition (lean and fat mass), whilst jump power was assessed with jumping mechanography. In athletes, vertical impacts were recorded over 7 days from a waist-worn accelerometer, and details of starting age, age-graded performance and training hours were recorded.ResultsIn ANOVA models adjusted for sex, age, height, body composition, and jump power, sprinter hip BMD was 10 and 14% greater than that of endurance runners and controls respectively. Sprinter spine BMD was also greater than that of both endurance runners and controls. There were no differences in hip or spine BMD between endurance runners and controls. Stepwise regression showed only discipline (sprint/endurance), sex, and age as predictors of athlete spine BMD, whilst these variables and starting age were predictive of hip BMD.ConclusionsRegular running is associated with greater BMD at the fracture-prone hip and spine sites in master sprinters but not endurance runners. These benefits cannot be explained by indicators of mechanical loading measured in this study including vertical impacts, body composition or muscular output.

Similar relative decline in aerobic and anaerobic power with age in endurance and power master athletes of both sexes

“…The VO 2 Peak 1‐leg (L/min) was similar for endurance and power athletes, despite the leg muscle mass being larger for power athletes than for endurance runners . This is most likely due to the higher oxidative potential per unit muscle mass of endurance runners compared with power athletes to compensate for lower muscle mass.…”

Greater maintenance of bone mineral content in male than female athletes and in sprinting and jumping than endurance athletes: a longitudinal study of bone strength in elite masters athletes

“…Bone losses were greater in endurance than power athletes, despite a similar AGP and even greater training hours in the former. Endurance masters athletes complete more lowerimpact physical activity than power athletes [8]. There is some evidence that this less vigorous activity has negative effects on bone strength [5,8] potentially by reducing bone Table 3 Associations between time since initial observation and primary tibia bone outcomes.…”

“…Endurance masters athletes complete more lowerimpact physical activity than power athletes [8]. There is some evidence that this less vigorous activity has negative effects on bone strength [5,8] potentially by reducing bone Table 3 Associations between time since initial observation and primary tibia bone outcomes. Where a time × sex or time × discipline interaction was observed (P < 0.1), analyses were performed separately for sex and/or discipline.…”

“…Figure legend includes study details and location of tibia sites examined (power/endurance) on the basis of self-selected best event, which we have shown previously to be a highly-valid predictor of performance [12]. This distinction has been shown to be sensitive enough to detect group differences in the bone at multiple sites [8]. Whilst many athletes compete in multiple events, detailed examination of event participation showed that the vast majority of power and endurance athletes only competed in one discipline of events.…”

“…Cross-sectional studies show that they have greater bone mass, size and strength than less active age-matched peers [7][8][9][10][11][12]. These advantages are greater in lower limb power athletes (jumpers and sprinters) than endurance athletes [8][9][10]12], but there are conflicting findings with regard to sex-specific effects of exercise on bone [8,10,12]. Crosssectional studies also suggest that advantages in bone strength decline uniformly in both sexes and across disciplines over time despite continued regular participation in masters athletics [13,14].…”