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PubMed2001

Influence of physical activity and cessation of training on calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements in peripubertal girls: a 1-year prospective study.

The aim of this 1-year follow-up study was to investigate the influence of physical activity and cessation of competitive training on the changes in the sonographic parameters among healthy peripubertal girls. We used calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements. A total of 174 peripubertal Caucasian girls aged 11-17 years (61 gymnasts, 58 runners, and 55 nonathletic controls) were studied. Weight, height, stage of puberty, years of training, and the amount of leisure-time physical activity were recorded. Twenty-one sports participants (9 gymnasts, 12 runners) discontinued their training (retired) within 6 months from the baseline. The broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and the sound of speed (SOS) through the calcaneus were recorded. The mean baseline BUA and SOS values of the nondominant calcaneus of the gymnasts were 11.9% (72.6 dB/MHz vs 64.9 dB/MHz, P < 0.05) and 2.0% (1600.4 m/s vs 1569.2 m/s, P < 0.001) higher than that of the controls, respectively. The baseline BUA and SOS values of the gymnasts and runners were similar. The mean 1-year increase in BUA was significant in the controls and sports participants who continued their training, whereas the change of BUA among the retired sports participants was not. The mean 1-year increases of SOS of the runners and controls were 6.6 m/s (95% CI 1.5 m/s to 11.7 m/s, P < 0.05) and 3.5 m/s (95% CI 0.5 m/s to 6.4 m/s, P < 0.05), respectively. In contrast, the SOS value among the retired runners declined and the 1-year change of SOS was -12.8 m/s (95% CI -22.1 m/s to -3.6 m/s, P < 0.05). The 1-year change of SOS among gymnasts was not significant. We conclude that the beneficial effect of exercise on the sonographic parameters of the calcaneus is evident but, at least partly, temporary. The SOS value decreases significantly soon after cessation of training and it may reflect the deterioration of the quantity and quality of bone without sufficient mechanical loading.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Influence of physical activity on ultrasound and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone measurements in peripubertal girls: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether two types of physical exercise affect the growing skeleton differently. We used calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements (QUS) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), and to test how QUS values reflect the axial DXA values in these various study groups. A total of 184 peripubertal Caucasian girls aged 11-17 years (65 gymnasts, 63 runners, and 56 nonathletic controls) were studied. Weight, height, stage of puberty, years of training, and the amount of leisure-time physical activity were recorded. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and sound of speed (SOS) through the calcaneus were measured. The BMD of the femoral neck and the lumbar spine were measured by DXA. The differences in mean values of bone measurements among each exercise group were more evident in pubertal than prepubertal girls. The mean BUA and SOS values of the pubertal gymnasts were 13.7% (77.8 dB/MHz versus 68.4 dB/MHz, P < 0.05) and 2.2% (1607.7 m/s versus 1572.4 m/s, P < 0.001) higher than of the controls, respectively. The mean BMD of the femoral neck in the pubertal gymnasts and runners was 20% (0.989 g/cm2 versus 0.824 g/cm2, P < 0.001) and 9.0% (0.901 g/cm2 versus 0.824 g/cm2, P < 0.05) higher than in the controls, respectively. The amount of physical activity correlated weakly but statistically significantly with all measured BMD and ultrasonographic values in the pubertal group (r = 0.19-0.35). The correlation between ultrasonographic parameters and BMD were weak, but significant among pubertal runners (r = 0.47-0.55) and controls (r = 0.39-0.42), whereas the DXA values of the femoral neck and the ultrasonographic parameters of the calcaneus did not correlate among highly physically active gymnasts. By stepwise regression analysis, physical activity accounted for much more of the variation in the DXA values than the ultrasonographic values. We conclude that the beneficial influence of exercise on bone status as measured by ultrasound and DXA was evident in these peripubertal girls. In highly active gymnasts the increase of the calcaneal ultrasonographic values did not reflect statistically significantly the BMD values of the femoral neck.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1990

Wrist loading patterns during pommel horse exercises.

Gymnastics is a sport which involves substantial periods of upper extremity support as well as frequent impacts to the wrist. Not surprisingly, wrist pain is a common finding in gymnasts. Of all events, the pommel horse is the most painful. In order to study the forces of wrist impact, a standard pommel horse was instrumented with a specially designed load cell to record the resultant force of the hand on the pommel during a series of basic skills performed by a group of seventeen elite male gymnasts. The highest mean peak forces were recorded during the front scissors and flair exercises (1.5 BW) with peaks of up to 2.0 BW for some gymnasts. The mean peak force for hip circles at the center or end of the horse was 1.1 BW. The mean overall loading rate (initial contact to first loading peak) ranged from 5.2 BWs-1 (hip circles) to 10.6 BW s-1 (flairs). However, many recordings displayed localized initial loading spikes which occurred during 'hard' landings on the pommel. When front scissors were performed in an aggressive manner, the initial loading spikes averaged 1.0 BW in magnitude (maximum 1.8 BW) with an average rise time of 8.2 ms; calculated localized loading rates averaged 129 BW s-1 (maximum 219 BW s-1). These loading parameters are comparable to those encountered at heel strike during running. These impact forces and loading rates are remarkably high for an upper extremity joint not normally exposed to weight-bearing loads, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of wrist injuries in gymnastics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A comparison of bone mineral densities among female athletes in impact loading and active loading sports.

The purpose of this study was to compare bone mineral densities (BMD) of collegiate female athletes who compete in impact loading sports; volleyball players (N = 8) and gymnasts (N = 13), to a group of athletes who participate in an active loading sport; swimmers (N = 7), and a group of controls (N = 17). All of the volleyball, swimming, and control subjects were eumenorrheic (10-12 cycles/year), whereas two of the gymnasts were amenorrheic (0-3 cycles/year), eight were oligomenorrheic (4-8 cycles/year), and three were eumenorrheic (10-12 cycles/year). Lumbar spine, proximal femur, and total body BMD were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The groups were compared with respect to the following regions: lumbar spine (L1-4); femoral neck; Ward's triangle; right and left arms; right and left legs; pelvis; and torso. When controlling for differences in height and weight the impact loading group (volleyball and gymnastic) had significantly greater BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's Triangle, and total body when compared to the active loading (swimming) and control groups. The regional analysis from the total body scan revealed that the gymnasts had significantly (p < 0.05) greater BMD than all other groups at the right and left arm sites. The impact loading groups (gymnastic and volleyball) had a greater BMD in the legs and pelvis than the active loading (swimming) and control groups. Furthermore, the impact loading group had a greater torso BMD than the control group. There were no differences at any site between the active loading group (swimming) and control groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1998

Removing swing from a handstand on rings using a properly timed backward giant circle: a simulation solution.

In the rings event in men's gymnastics, marks are deducted if the rings and gymnast are swinging during a held handstand position. The unwanted swing can be reduced in the next handstand position if the gymnast is able to properly time the start of the connecting giant circle. The purpose of this study was to search for the optimal time to commence a backward giant circle in order to attenuate swing in the succeeding handstand. Computer simulations, using a four-segment and a three-segment model which employed two-pulse muscular control strategies, were used to search for the optimal timing solution. Qualitative validation tests between the performance of a world class gymnast and the simulation models indicated that a three-segment model comprising a cables-rings segment, an arms segment with a shoulder torque generator, and a head-torso-legs segment, produced similar results to that of a four-segment model which separated the legs segment from the torso and employed an additional torque generator at the hip joint. The results from the simulation indicated that a gymnast should be advised to initiate a backward giant circle when his swinging handstand has reached the bottom of its swing-arc. For a handstand with an original swing-amplitude of 10 degrees, the simulation results indicate that a properly timed backward giant circle can reduce this amplitude to a negligible 1.5 degrees of swing.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1979

Acceleration forces at eye level experienced with rotation on the horizontal bar.

Negative acceleration forces (-Gz) experienced at eye level have been associated with preretinal hemorrhage and headache. These signs and symptoms were found in individuals who experienced negative (toward the head) force while rotating on a horizontal bar or hanging from a trapeze. Lightweight accelerometers were used to measure -Gz experienced at eye level in children and adult gymnasts performing a single-knee backswing on a horizontal bar. Rate of onset of -Gz, peak -Gz, time experiencing -Gz, area of curve (G.second), and mean force (area/time) were calculated. There was no significant difference between the children and the adult gymnasts in any of the above parameters. The best gymnast had a maximum rate of onset of 38.15 G/s and the maximum negative force experienced was 5.52 G. The maximum rate of onset for a child was 41.56 G/s and the maximum negative force experienced was 5.73 G. Compared with -Gz tolerance curves generated on a centrifuge the best gymnast would have become symptomatic while performing this maneuver in 6 s. The best child would have become symptomatic in 25 s. These tolerance limits can be easily exceeded by gymnasts and by the monkey-bar enthusiast.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stress changes of the distal radial growth plate. A radiographic survey and review of the literature.

We conducted a radiographic survey to determine skeletal age and the nature and prevalence of stress-related changes affecting the distal radial growth plate in 60 young competitive gymnasts (39 females, 21 males). Comparison of results for chronological and skeletal age revealed a significant delay in maturation for girls (P less than 0.001). Radiographic evaluation revealed 5 gymnasts (4 girls and 1 boy) with stress-related changes of the left wrist, and four of these were considered to be minimal. These results, in conjunction with our previous findings and the review of related literature, reveal three important observations. First, the widening and irregularities of the distal radial physis that we described previously appear to be the first in a spectrum of abnormal changes secondary to overuse and probably represent a stress fracture of the distal radial growth plate. The radiographic changes associated with this injury are not the normal adaptive changes seen in young, competitive gymnasts. Secondly, more serious long-term abnormality may result even though the injury may initially resemble a Salter-Harris type I or II stress fracture. Long-term complications may include symmetrical or asymmetrical retardation or halted growth at the affected site, positive ulnar variance, and associated pathoanatomic sequelae. Thirdly, the incidence of distal radial growth plate stress injury remains unclear; we recommend a further, large-scale prospective epidemiologic study involving both male and female gymnasts. We urge that physicians and other health professionals associated with gymnastics clubs educate coaches about the possibility of significant injury to the distal radial physis, risk factors, and suggested preventive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Peripheral vision and back tuck somersaults.

Although vision appears to enhance performance of somersaulting skills, few studies have investigated the source (foveal or ambient) of useful visual cues that can potentially be used by gymnasts during a somersault. Therefore, the primary objectives were to investigate the possible role of peripheral vision in the control of orientation and landing balance in a back tuck somersault. 10 female gymnasts (age = 11.6 +/- 2.7 yr., competitive level = 8 +/- 1.2, training time in gymnastics = 5.9 +/- 1.6 yr.) performed back tuck somersaults under four visual conditions (full visual field, horizontal peripheral vision limited to 100 degrees, horizonal peripheral vision limited to 60 degrees, and no vision) while wearing electromagnetic sensors that allowed automatic digitizing. Analysis yielded no statistically significant difference on any of the kinematic variables among vision conditions. Despite limiting the gymnasts' available horizontal peripheral vision, joint angles, angular velocities, and timing remained very similar. There were no statistically significant differences in landing balance between the conditions of full vision, 100 degrees peripheral vision, and 60 peripheral vision. However, gymnasts were less stable at landing when vision was absent as compared to the three other vision conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The muscle strength and bone density relationship in young women: dependence on exercise status.

AIM: Numerous studies report an association between muscle strength and bone mineral density (BMD) in young and older women. However, the participants are generally non-athletes, thus it is unclear if the relationship varies by exercise status. Therefore, the purpose was to examine the relationships between BMD and muscle strength in young women with markedly different exercise levels. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: cross-sectional. SETTING: a University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 18 collegiate gymnasts and 22 age- and weight-matched recreationally active control women. MEASURES: lumbar spine, femoral neck, arm, leg and whole body BMD (g/cm(2)) were assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. In addition, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral apparent density (BMAD, g/cm(3)) was calculated. Handgrip strength and knee extensor and flexor torque (60 degrees /s) were determined by dynamometry, and bench press and leg press strength (1-RM) using isotonic equipment. RESULTS: BMD at all sites and bench press, leg press and knee flexor strength were greater in gymnasts than controls (p<0.001). In controls, knee extensor torque was significantly correlated to femoral neck, limb and whole body BMD (r=0.47-0.55, p<0.05), leg press strength was associated with limb and whole body BMD (r=0.52-0.74, p<0.05), and bench press strength with arm BMD (r=0.50, p=0.019). In partial correlations controlling for weight, leg press strength was related to leg and whole body BMD (r=0.46-0.63, p<0.05). There was no association between muscle strength and BMD in gymnasts. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the association between muscle strength and BMD in young women is dependent on exercise status. The osteogenic effect of increased mechanical loading associated with gymnastics training likely contributes to the dissociation of the relationship in gymnasts.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1989

Postural synergies in axial movements: short and long-term adaptation.

Fast backward trunk movements are accompanied by hip, knee and ankle rotation which compensate for the backward shift of the center of gravity. The electromyographic pattern associated with the performance of these movements and the associated synergies consists of a fairly synchronous activation of the prime mover (erectores spinae) and the muscles situated at the back of the leg (hamstring, calf muscles). This pattern is called the "non anticipated pattern". The effect of training on the EMG pattern and on the subjects' mechanical performances was investigated by comparing a population of untrained subjects with one of highly trained gymnasts. A new EMG pattern was observed in the highly trained gymnasts, the "distally anticipated pattern" consisting of an early activation of the gastrocnemius, and in some subjects also of the hamstring, indicating that a long term adaptation had taken place. Performances expressed as a ratio between the displacement of the center of gravity projection onto the ground and the velocity of the movement were clearly better in the gymnasts. Short term adaptation was found to occur in the gymnasts and not in the untrained group when the movement was performed while standing on a narrow support. A suppression of the distal gastrocnemius burst occurred in the gymnasts from the first trial under the constrained standing condition whereas no change occurred in the untrained group. The flexibility of the EMG patterns associated with axial movements occurring either spontaneously or as a result of long or short term training is discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1990

Injury and disability in matched men's and women's intercollegiate sports.

Eight matched men's and women's intercollegiate varsity teams were studied prospectively for one academic year to determine the incidence of athletic injury and resulting disability. Sports in which both men and women participated in a comparable manner were chosen: basketball, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track, and volleyball. Men (232) and women (150) were injured at comparable rates, 42 percent versus 39 percent. When adjusted for exposure time, seven of the eight sports continued to show similar injury rates. Women gymnasts, however, experienced .82 injuries per 100 person-hours of exposure as compared to .21 injuries for the men (p = .0001). Disability was greater in women gymnasts, 7.44 days per 100 person-hours versus 1.15 days for men (p = .0004). Percent of season lost to injury was also greater for women gymnasts. Types and sites of injury were similar for men and women, with sprains and strains accounting for over half of all injuries. We found no evidence for gender differences in matched sports except for gymnastics, in which technically diverse events may have accounted for the differences observed.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2006

[More exercise for seniors: report of program evaluation].

Since 1980, More Exercise for Seniors (MBvO in Dutch) has provided a number of special physical activities for the elderly. The aim is to improve social participation and integration, and to prevent a need for care. Despite the fact that MBvO has been active for more than 25 years, and weekly 300,000 people participate in gymnastics, swimming, dancing, etc, no effect on fitness and health has been proven to date. The study was carried out in two regions: Drenthe and Zuid-Holland. Using the GALM (Groningen Active Living Model) method, 4600 independently living people aged 65 years and older were asked to participate in a motor fitness test. Of the 721 people who participated, 386 (the least fit) were invited to take part in the study. They were than randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group did gymnastics once or twice a week. The control group received a health educational program. Assessments were carried out at pretest and posttest (10 weeks). In the groups offered MBvO gymnastics once a week, no effects were found on subjective health, physical performance or quality of life and only minor effects on physical fitness. In the groups offered MBvO gymnastics twice a week, some beneficial quality of life effects were found in the least physically active people at baseline. It is recommended that the frequency and intensity of the regular MBvO gymnastics should be increased, to emphasize the importance of health education, and that relatively inactive and older individuals (70+) should be recruited.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Trunk muscle strength in athletes.

Maximal voluntary strength of the trunk muscles was measured in 57 male elite athletes (soccer players, wrestlers, tennis players, and gymnasts), 14 female elite gymnasts, and in a normal group of 87 conscripts. Mean ages in the different groups ranged from 18-22 yr. An isokinetic (constant velocity) technique was used to record maximal torque produced by trunk and hip muscles during flexion, extension, and lateral flexion over the range of motion. The constant angular velocities used were 15 deg.s-1 and 30 deg.s-1, respectively. Isometric strength was measured in a straight body position (0 deg. of flexion). The measurements were made with the subjects in a horizontal position with the pivot point at the hip and at the lumbar (L2-L3) level. All male athlete groups showed higher peak torque values than the normals. The differences were largest in hip extension and trunk flexion. The male gymnasts also showed significantly higher peak values in hip flexion as compared to all other categories. There was no difference in strength per kg body weight between female gymnasts and untrained males, except in trunk extension. The position for peak torque occurred earlier in the movements for the athletes, especially for the gymnasts in extension movements and for the tennis players in flexion movements. In isometric contractions essentially the same strength differences were present as in the slow isokinetic contractions. In lateral flexion wrestlers and tennis players showed significantly higher strength in movements toward the nondominant side. Thus, differences were present between the athletes and the normals, some of which appeared to be sport specific and related to long-term systematic training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Quantitative ultrasound of the tibia and radius in prepubertal and early-pubertal female athletes.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise during childhood has been shown to enhance bone mineral density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine bone properties, as measured by quantitative ultrasound, in prepubertal and early-pubertal female athletes engaged in impact and nonimpact sports. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five acrobatic gymnasts, 21 swimmers, and 21 control subjects. Athletes had been training for at least 1(1/2) years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Bone speed of sound (bilateral) at the distal radius and the midtibia. RESULTS: Gymnasts were significantly shorter and lighter than swimmers and control girls (P<.001) but had a body mass index similar to that of swimmers. Adiposity was lower in athletes than in controls. Speed of sound did not correlate with measures of body size. Higher mean +/- SD radial speed of sound values (nondominant side) were observed in gymnasts (3764 +/- 104 m/s; P =.045) than in swimmers and control girls (3732 +/- 99 and 3721 +/- 83 m/s, respectively). Mean +/- SD tibial speed of sound values (nondominant side) were similar in gymnasts and swimmers (3629 +/- 87 and 3619 +/- 78 m/s, respectively) and higher in the athletic groups than in the control group (3516 +/- 127 m/s; P<.001). In all 3 groups, no differences were observed between dominant and nondominant sides in the radii or tibias. CONCLUSIONS: Physical exercise, impact and nonimpact, is related to enhanced bone properties, as measured by quantitative ultrasound. Longitudinal studies using various modes of bone evaluation are necessary to determine the long-term effect of various types of exercise on bone properties.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2002

Dose related association of impact activity and bone mineral density in pre-pubertal girls.

Impact activity is an important contributor to bone accrual. Children engaging in such activity have been shown to have greater bone mineral density (BMD) than their peers. This cross-sectional study was designed to quantify the association between BMD and impact activity in pre-pubescent girls, specifically examining for a dose-dependent relationship. Fifty 7-11-year-old Caucasian female gymnasts were grouped by hours of gymnastics participation during a 6-month period: LOW, 1-8 hours/week (hrs/wk); HIGH, >8 hrs/wk. They were compared with 20 controls, with height, weight, age, and Tanner stage averages matched to the gymnasts. Total body, forearm, hip, lumbar spine BMD, and body composition were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Strength was measured by one repetition maximum testing, calcium intake was quantified by questionnaire, and physical activity was measured by questionnaire and activity monitors. Total and regional BMD were greater in the HIGH group than the controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, both total and forearm BMD were greater in the HIGH group than in the LOW group, and greater in the LOW group than in the controls (P<0.05). Simple regression analysis between hrs/wk of gymnastics activity versus total and regional BMD (using maturation-adjusted Z scores) yielded a positive slope for each site. R2 was greatest for hip BMD (R2 = 0.25), and least for lumbar spine (R2 = 0.10) (P<0.0001). In conclusion, in this group of pre-pubescent girls, we observed a dose-dependent relationship between BMD and hrs/wk of impact activity; even moderate doses of impact activity were associated with increased BMD.

Bone Density↗
PubMed2003

The margin for error when releasing the high bar for dismounts.

In Men's Artistic Gymnastics the current trend in elite high bar dismounts is to perform two somersaults in an extended body shape with a number of twists. Two techniques have been identified in the backward giant circles leading up to release for these dismounts (J. Biomech. 32 (1999) 811). At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games 95% of gymnasts used the "scooped" backward giant circle technique rather than the "traditional" technique. It was speculated that the advantage gained from the scooped technique was an increased margin for error when releasing the high bar. A four segment planar simulation model of the gymnast and high bar was used to determine the margin for error when releasing the bar in performances at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The eight high bar finalists and the three gymnasts who used the traditional backward giant circle technique were chosen for analysis. Model parameters were optimised to obtain a close match between simulated and actual performances in terms of rotation angle (1.2 degrees ), bar displacements (0.014 m) and release velocities (2%). Each matching simulation was used to determine the time window around the actual point of release for which the model had appropriate release parameters to complete the dismount successfully. The scooped backward giant circle technique resulted in a greater margin for error (release window 88-157 ms) when releasing the bar compared to the traditional technique (release window 73-84 ms).

Acceleration↗
PubMed2003

Coping with perturbations to a layout somersault in tumbling.

Tumbling is a dynamic movement requiring control of the linear and angular momenta generated during the approach and takeoff phases. Both of these phases are subject to some variability even when the gymnast is trying to perform a given movement repeatedly. This paper used a simulation model of tumbling takeoff to establish how well gymnasts can cope with perturbations of the approach and takeoff phases. A five segment planar simulation model with torque generators at each joint was developed to simulate tumbling takeoffs. The model was customised to an elite gymnast by determining subject specific inertia and torque parameters and a simulation was produced which closely matched a performance of a layout somersault by the gymnast. The performance of a layout somersault was found to be sensitive to the approach characteristics and the activation timings but relatively insensitive to the elasticity of the track and maximum muscle strength. Appropriate variation of the activation timings used during the takeoff phase was capable of coping with moderate perturbations of the approach characteristics. A model of aerial movement established that variation of body configuration in the flight phase was capable of adjusting for takeoff perturbations that would lead to rotation errors of up to 8%. Providing the errors in perceiving approach characteristics are less than 5% or 5 degrees and the errors in timing activations are less than 7ms, perturbations in the approach can be accommodated using adjustments during takeoff and flight.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Physical activity and bone mineral acquisition in peripubertal girls.

The association of the amount and type of physical activity with bone mineral acquisition was studied in 191 peripubertal Caucasian girls aged 9-16 years (66 gymnasts, 65 runners, and 60 nonathletic controls). Weight, height, stage of puberty, the amount of leisure-time physical activity, and years of training were recorded, and dietary calcium and vitamin D were assessed by a semi-quantitative questionnaire. The bone area, the bone mineral density (BMD), and the bone mineral content (BMC) of the femoral neck, lumbar spine and antebrachium were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The unadjusted mean values of BMD at the femoral neck were 15.2% higher in the pubertal gymnasts than in the controls (P<0.001). Compared with the controls, the mean BMC adjusted for bone area of the pubertal gymnasts at the femoral neck and lumbar spine was 16.4% and 10.8% higher, respectively. When comparing the association of the type of physical activity among the pubertal athletics by multiple regression analysis, height, physical activity, gymnastics, and Tanner stage emerged as significant variables and accounted for 54.7% and 63.4% of the total variation in BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine, respectively. These results indicate that physical activity is associated with bone mineral acquisition in peripubertal girls and that high-impact weight-bearing exercise seems to be particularly associated with the increase of the BMD at the femoral neck.

Adolescent↗