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Comparison of bone mineral density in adolescent male soccer and basketball players

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent male basketball (BB) and soccer (S) players.

Methods

The study included Estonian national youth league level participants: 12 BB (16.3 ± 0.7 years, 186.8 ± 6.6 cm, 80.9 ± 11.9 kg) and 15 S players (16.0 ± 0.3 years, 178.5 ± 8.1 cm, 66.3 ± 6.8 kg). All participants had a history of 7.9 ± 2.9 years of training, with training loads of 9.2 ± 1.8 h per week. Body composition and BMD were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

BB were significantly taller, heavier and had greater lean body mass (LBM) compared to S. No significant (P < 0.05) differences existed in age, body fat %, sports participation, and weekly training load. BB had significantly (P < 0.05) greater BMD values in total body, lumbar spine, right arm, left arm, right leg, right femur, right femoral neck, and right femoral shaft compared to S. The biggest between-groups difference (P < 0.001) existed in upper extremities (25–28%). LBM was the main determinant for all BMD variables.

Conclusions

Regular participation in basketball and soccer practice in adolescent males is associated with enhanced BMD in loaded sites specific to demands of the sport. Basketball practice seems to have higher impact on non-weight bearing bones, compared to soccer.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia, Project No. IUT20-58 “Physical performance and health: adaptational and age-related aspects”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, 5 Jakobi Street, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Tarmo Jallai, Tatjana Kums, Jaan Ereline, Helena Gapeyeva & Mati Pääsuke

  2. Traumatology and Orthopaedics Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, 8 L.Puusepa Street, 51014, Tartu, Estonia

    Katre Maasalu

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  1. Tarmo Jallai
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Correspondence to Tarmo Jallai.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Tartu (Estonia) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all participants and their parents or guardians.

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Jallai, T., Maasalu, K., Kums, T. et al. Comparison of bone mineral density in adolescent male soccer and basketball players. Sport Sci Health 13, 93–98 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0334-5

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