Changes in body composition and bone of female collegiate soccer players through the competitive season and off-season.

OBJECTIVES: To assess body composition and bone changes pre- to post-season (pre-post) and post- to off-season (post-off) in female soccer athletes (SC). METHODS: Outcomes were assessed using DXA and pQCT in 23 SC and 17 controls at three times throughout season. RESULTS: SC, non-starters in particular, lost lean mass pre-post (-0.9±0.2 kg, p<0.01; not different from controls, p=0.2) and gained fat mass post-off (1.4±0.3 kg, p<0.01; differed from controls, p=0.01). Baseline femoral neck and hip aBMD were higher in SC than controls (both,p<0.04), but increased in controls more than SC in pre-post and decreased post-off. SC cortical bone mineral content (BMC), cortical area and periosteal circumference increased pre-post (all, p<0.01; differed from controls, p<0.05) and trabecular vBMD decreased post-off (-3.0±1.3 mg/cm3; p=0.02; not different from controls, p=0.4). Both SC and controls increased cortical BMC, cortical area, and thickness post-off (all, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Soccer players lost lean mass over the competitive season that was not recovered during off-season. Bone size increased pre- to post-season. Female soccer athletes experience body composition and bone geometry changes that differ depending on the time of season and on athlete's playing status. Evaluations of athletes at key times across the training season are necessary to understand changes that occur.

Feasibility, compliance, and efficacy of a randomized controlled trial using vibration in pre-pubertal children.

OBJECTIVE: Interventions utilizing vibration may increase bone mass and size which may reduce forearm fractures in children. This randomized controlled pilot trial tested the feasibility, compliance and efficacy of forearm loading regimes in an after-school program in pre-pubertal children aged 6-10 years. METHODS: A 12-week randomized controlled trial incorporated high (HMMS; N=10) and low (LMMS; N=10) magnitude mechanical stimulation vibration, floor exercises (N=9), and controls (N=10). Radial bone measures by DXA and pQCT were compared at the end of intervention (12-weeks) and 4-months post-intervention (4-months post). RESULTS: Percent changes were significantly greater in floor vs. control for ultra-distal areal BMD by DXA at 12-weeks (1%[-2,5] vs.-5%[-8,-2] respectively, p=0.02) and 4-months post (5%[1,8] vs -2%[-5,2], p=0.03) and in HMMS vs. controls for trabecular vBMD by pQCT at 12-weeks (4%[0, 8], vs. -8% [-14, -2], p=0.02). Children exposed to HMMS showed positive changes in cortical BMC, area, and cortical vBMD after 12 weeks that remained 4 months post-intervention. Children exposed to floor exercise showed positive changes in cortical BMC, area, and periosteal circumference 4-months post-intervention. Controls had decreased trabecular BMD, but increased bone area and periosteal circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to floor exercise and HMMS increased trabecular aBMD and vBMD in the radius.

Variation in cortical density within the cortical shell of individuals across a range in densities and ages.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine variability in cortical volumetric bone density (vBMD) from a single slice tibia image over a range of vBMD readings and ages. METHODS: Males and females (N=80; aged 6-80) were randomly selected from a previous study. Cortical vBMD at the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral regions as well as the endocortical, mid-cortical, and pericortical regions of the cortical shell were determined using pQCT. RESULTS: Mean anterior ROI cortical vBMD (1111±11 mg/cm(3)) was lower than the posterior and lateral ROIs (1169±7 mg/cm(3) and 1151±9 mg/cm(3), respectively), (p<0.05). Individuals with lower overall cortical vBMD and younger individuals had greater vBMD variability within the shell (r=0.37, p=0.004). Difference between anterior and posterior regions was inversely associated with cortical vBMD and jump power (r=0.46, p=0.001). Endocortical vBMD (1080±6 mg/cm) was lower than the mid-cortical and pericortical regions (1152±5 mg/cm(3) and 1147±5 mg/cm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Variability in cortical vBMD was higher among young individuals and those with lower overall cortical vBMD, while lowest in older individuals and men. The anterior ROI had lower mean cortical vBMD than posterior or lateral regions, and endocortical vBMD was lower than the mid- and pericortical regions.

Effect of different collegiate sports on cortical bone in the tibia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sports participation on cortical bone in the tibia. METHODS: 53 female collegiate athletes (25 cross-country, 16 soccer, and 12 volleyball) and 20 inactive controls had the left distal 20% tibia scanned by pQCT. Cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured within the cortical shell at the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral regions and standard deviations were calculated. RESULTS: Total vBMD was greater in the control group (1161±5 mg/mm(3)) than each of the sports (p<0.05). Soccer players (1147±5 mg/mm(3)) had greater vBMD than volleyball players (1136±7 mg/mm(3)) (p<0.05), but similar to cross-country runners (1145±5 mg/mm(3)). Cortical thickness was greatest in soccer players (4.1±0.1 mm), while cross-country and control subjects (3.8±0.1 mm) had greater thickness than volleyball players (3.4±0.1 mm)(p<0.05). Periosteal circumference was greater in volleyball players (71±1.4 mm) than soccer, cross-country, and control subjects (68±0.9, 69±0.8, and 66±1 mm, respectively; all, p<0.05). vBMD variation within the cortical shell was greater among control subjects (70±6 mg/cm(3)) than each of the athlete groups, with soccer players having lower variation than cross country runners (within-in person SD 36±6 mg/cm(3) and 54±5 mg/cm(3) respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate bone geometry and distribution within the cortical shell of the tibia varies depending upon sporting activities of young women.