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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Maturity and activity-related differences in bone mineral density: Tanner I vs. II and gymnasts vs. non-gymnasts.

This study tests the hypotheses that (1) Tanner I and Tanner II girls comprise distinct maturational cohorts, exhibiting BMD differences that are not explained by age and body size alone; and (2) within these distinct maturational cohorts, BMD is higher in gymnasts than non-gymnasts, independent of age and body size. Premenarcheal artistic gymnasts (n=28) and non-gymnasts (n=28) were evaluated. Fan-beam DXA measured areal BMD (aBMD) at the forearm, femoral neck, and lumbar spine; fat free mass (FFM) was derived from whole-body scans. Height, weight, physical activity and calcium intake were assessed. Group means were compared using ANOVA; ANCOVA was used to adjust for age, height and FFM. For all 3 sites and both maturity levels, gymnasts had higher aBMD than non-gymnasts, independent of age and body size (7.2-20.8%, p<0.04). After adjustment for age, height and FFM, Tanner II gymnasts demonstrated lower aBMD than Tanner I gymnasts at the femoral neck (7.6%, p<0.05); no other maturity group comparisons yielded statistically significant differences independent of age and body size. In conclusion, for both Tanner groups, the osteogenic role of impact activity is evident at all three sites. Trends in Tanner group differences in aBMD were specific to gymnast and non-gymnast activity groups and therefore were not generalizable to all subjects. Overall, aBMD correlations and ANCOVA results differ by activity group, maturity level and site. These results highlight the need to consider both maturity and activity status in studies assessing bone accrual.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gymnast wrist: an epidemiologic survey of ulnar variance and stress changes of the radial physis in elite female gymnasts.

The ulnar variance in female gymnasts attending the World Championship Artistic Gymnastics Rotterdam 1987 was measured. There was a marked increase in the ulnar length in adult as well as immature gymnast compared with nonathletes. The changes in relative ulnar length were correlated to weight, height, and skeletal age of the athletes. In 10% of the gymnasts' wrists we noted so-called "stress-related changes" of the distal physis of the radius. Repetitive injury and compression of the wrist leads to a premature closure of the distal radial growth plate resulting in secondary ulnar overgrowth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Any effect of gymnastics training on upper-body and lower-body aerobic and power components in national and international male gymnasts?

Aerobic and anaerobic performance of the upper body (UB) and lower body (LB) were assessed by arm cranking and treadmill tests respectively in a comparison of national (N) and international (I) male gymnasts. Force velocity and Wingate tests were performed using cycle ergometers for both arms and legs. In spite of a significant difference in training volume (4- 12 vs. 27-34 h.wk(-1) for N and I, respectively), there was no significant difference between N and I in aerobic and anaerobic performance. Upper body and LB maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) values were 34.44 +/- 4.62 and 48.64 +/- 4.63 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) vs. 33.39 +/- 4.77 and 49.49 +/- 5.47 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), respectively, for N and I. Both N and I had a high lactic threshold (LT), at 76 and 82% of VO(2)max, respectively. Values for UB and LB force velocity (9.75 +/- 1.12 and 15.07 +/- 4.25 vs. 10.63 +/- 0.95 and 15.87 +/- 1.25 W.kg(-1)) and Wingate power output (10.43 +/- 0.74 and 10.98 +/- 3.06 vs. 9.58 +/- 0.60 and 13.46 +/- 1.34 W.kg(-1)) were also consistent for N and I. These findings confirm the consistency of VO(2)max values presented for gymnasts in the last 4 decades, together with an increase in peak power values. Consistent values for aerobic and anaerobic performance suggest that the significant difference in training volume is related to other aspects of perfomance that distinguish N from I gymnasts. Modern gymnastics training at N and I levels is characterized by a focus on relative strength and peak power. In the present study, the high LT is a reflection of the importance of strength training, which is consistent with research for sports such as wrestling.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disordered eating in Japanese and Chinese female runners, rhythmic gymnasts and gymnasts.

Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and self-administered questionnaires were used to survey eating attitudes and menstrual irregularity of Japanese (J) and Chinese (C) collegiate female runners (RUNs), rhythmic gymnasts (RGYMs), gymnasts (GYMs), and nonathletic controls (NAs). Athletes were recruited from several outstanding colleges for physical education and sport in each country. The prevalence of disordered eating (DE) was significantly higher in Japanese athletes (21% in JRUNs, 19% in JRGYMs, and 15% in JGYMs) than Chinese athletes (4% in CRUNs, 2% in CRGYMs, and none in CGYMs). Also, the prevalence of amenorrhea was very low in CRUNs (1%), CRGYMs (0%), and CGYMs (0%), as compared with their respective Japanese counterparts (JRUNs 22%, JRGYMs 10%, JGYMs 8%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DE and amenorrhea between Japanese and Chinese NAs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using 10 independent variables regarding anthropometrics, athletics, weight and diet concern, and nationality indicated that high frequency of dieting during a lifetime, high athletic level and being Japanese were significant risks for the development of DE in athletes. It is concluded that the low prevalence of DE in the Chinese in this study is partly explained by the lack of socioculturally- and socioeconomically-imposed desire to be thin as well as by the low frequency of dieting during their lifetime.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1992

[The spine--a problem area in high performance artistic gymnastics. A retrospective analysis of 24 former artistic gymnasts of the German A team].

24 former female artistic gymnasts of the German national team were examined for spinal deformities after the end of their athletic career. In 3 cases we found osseous lesions of the spine without neurological complications. However, emphasis was on spinal changes due to stress. During their athletic career 15 gymnasts complained of low back pain which persisted in 7 of them after finishing their athletic activities. The lumbar radiographs revealed bilateral spondylolysis at L5 in 6, unilateral spondylolysis in 1, spondylolisthesis at L5/S1 in 3, degenerative changes of the intervertebral joints in 5, retrolisthesis at L5/S1 in 2, and scoliosis in 6 cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Maturity-associated variation in the body size and proportions of elite female gymnasts 14-17 years of age.

The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in the size and body proportions of elite female gymnasts associated with individual differences in maturity status. The subjects were 150 gymnasts, 14.0-17.9 years of age, who had participated in the 24th World Championship in Artistic Gymnastics, Rotterdam. Height, body mass, sitting height and biacromial and bicristal breadths were measured. Leg length was estimated as the height minus sitting height, and the ratio of sitting height to height was calculated. Information on menarcheal status was obtained by means of a questionnaire, and hand-wrist radiographs were taken to assess skeletal maturity status. For the purpose of data analysis the gymnasts were divided into three maturity groups within each single-year chronological age (CA) group from 14 to 17 years: pre-menarcheal (n=65); post-menarcheal but not skeletally mature (SA<16.0 years, n=37); post-menarcheal, skeletally mature (n=48). Differences among the groups were tested with analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests. The results showed that pre-menarcheal gymnasts are smaller in all dimensions compared to post-menarcheal gymnasts in all age groups but that the significance of differences varies. Post-menarcheal, skeletally mature gymnasts are heavier than pre-menarcheal gymnasts, but weight does not differ between gymnasts in the two post-menarcheal groups (with one exception, 16 years). Post-menarcheal, skeletally mature gymnasts have proportionally shorter legs than gymnasts in the other two maturity categories. Elite gymnasts of contrasting maturity status show similar trends in body size and proportions similar to those of non-athlete adolescent girls of contrasting maturity status. The results highlight the need to consider maturity-associated variation in the body dimensions of gymnasts before attributing their characteristics to the demands of regular training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Morphological and performance characteristics as drop-out indicators in female gymnasts.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to investigate if morphological and performance characteristics are significant indicators to predict drop-out in female gymnasts. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: comparative investigation between two groups of female gymnasts at the start of a 3-year follow-up period. SETTING: participants of the study came from two gymnastic clubs from the Antwerp region in Flanders, Belgium. PARTICIPANTS: in total, 81 female competitive gymnasts (mean age: 10.5 + 2.6 years) were investigated, of which 46 were continuing gymnasts, while 35 dropped-out from the sport during the following 3 years. MEASURES: included were a large battery of a anthropometric characteristics, skeletal maturation, physical fitness tests, and gymnastic-specific strength and flexibility tests. Differences between the two groups were analysed by means of the t-test and analysis of co-variance with chronological age as the co-variate. RESULTS: Compared to the gymnasts, the drop-outs were significant (p < 0.01) older (11.3 and 9.7 years respectively), more mature (skeletal ages are 10.6 and 9.4 years respectively), taller (143.5 cm and 135.2 cm respectively), and heavier (36.0 kg and 29.4 kg respectively). Also for almost all other anthropometric dimensions, gymnasts were significantly (p < 0.01) smaller than the drop-outs, except for the biceps, triceps, medial calf, and thigh skinfolds. Concerning the fitness and gymnastic-specific test characteristics, the drop-outs performed also significantly (p < 0.01) better than the continuing gymnasts. The ANCOVA-analysis, however, revealed that it was mainly the age factor that distinguished both groups. After controlling for chronological age, no differences between both groups could be demonstrated for almost all anthropometric and performance characteristics with the exception for upperarm circumference flexed, calf circumference, and biceps skinfold. For these variables, drop-outs showed still significant (p < 0.05) higher values compared to the gymnast's group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, it is concluded that factors related to the physical make-up and performance capacities of our gymnasts under study are minor indicators for the withdrawal from competitive gymnastics, and it is hypothesized that the social and psychological factors associated with the older age of the drop-out girls are presumably more important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Bone geometry and density in the skeleton of pre-pubertal gymnasts and school children.

We have studied the differences between the peripheral and axial skeleton of pre-pubertal gymnasts and controls. We hypothesised that compared to controls, gymnasts would have larger and stronger radius and tibia diaphyses with greater bone mineral content and larger cross-sectional muscle area. At the distal metaphyseal sites of the radius and tibia, gymnasts would have greater bone cross-sectional area and total and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD). Differences between the lumbar spine, total body and body composition in gymnasts versus controls were also studied. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was used to measure bone geometry, density and muscle of the peripheral skeleton; dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for total body and axial measurements. Eighty-six pre-pubertal children, 44 gymnasts (mean age 9.0 years, range 5.4-11.9 years) and 42 controls (mean age 8.8 years, range 5.6-11.9 years) were studied. Eighty-four children were Caucasian, one child was mixed race, one Chinese. Data were adjusted for age, sex and height. Differences in the effect size between sexes were also tested. At the 50% radius diaphysis gymnasts had larger bones (9.2%, p = 0.0054) with greater cortical area (8.2%, p = 0.022) and stress strain index (surrogate measure of bone strength) than controls (13.6%, p = 0.015). The effect size was different between males and females for cortical thickness (p = 0.03). At the 65% tibia diaphysis, gymnasts had greater cortical area (5.3%, p = 0.057) and thickness (6.2%, p = 0.068) than controls; consequently, bone strength was 5.4% higher (p = 0.14). There were no significant differences in cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the radius or tibia diaphysis between the groups. There was a difference in effect size for tibia muscle cross-sectional area between the sexes (p = 0.035). At the distal radius and tibia total and trabecular vBMD was greater (Total: radius 17%, p < 0.0001, tibia: 5.7%, p = 0.0053; trabecular: radius 21%, p < 0.0001, tibia 4.5%, p = 0.11). Bone size was not different in gymnasts compared to controls Lumbar spine BMC (12.3%, p = 0.0007), areal bone mineral density (aBMD) (9.1%, p = 0.0006) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) (7.6%, p = 0.0047) were greater in gymnasts but vertebral size was not significantly different. Likewise, total body BMD (3.5%, p = 0.0057) and BMC (4.78%, p = 0.085) were greater in gymnasts but there were no differences in skeletal size. These data suggest site-specific differences in how the pre-pubertal skeleton develops in response to the repetitive loading it experiences when participating in regular gymnastics. At diaphyseal sites these differences are predominantly in the bone and muscle geometry and not density. Conversely, at trabecular sites, the differences are increased density rather than geometry. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated skeletal differences between gymnasts and controls. These differences appear to be site and sex specific.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2000

Short stature and delayed puberty in gymnasts: influence of selection bias on leg length and the duration of training on trunk length.

BACKGROUND: Delays in bone age, the onset of puberty, and skeletal growth in gymnasts could be, in part, the reason for an interest in gymnastics, rather than being the result of vigorous exercise. We hypothesized that short stature and delayed bone age are present at the start of gymnastics, and training delays growth, producing short stature, even after retirement. METHODS: Sitting height and leg length were measured in 83 active female gymnasts, 42 retired gymnasts, and 154 healthy control subjects. Results were expressed as age-specific SD scores (mean +/- SEM). RESULTS: In the cross-sectional data, active gymnasts had delayed bone age (1.3 +/- 0.1 years), reduced height -1.32 +/- 0.08 SD, sitting height -1.24 +/- 0.09 SD, and leg length, -1.25 +/- 0.08 SD (all P <.001). However, in those training for less than 2 years, the deficit was confined to leg length (-0.8 +/- 0.2 SD). During 2 years of follow-up of 21 gymnasts, only the deficit in sitting height worsened (by 0.4 +/- 0.1 SD). In 13 gymnasts followed up in the immediate 12 months after retirement, sitting height accelerated, resulting in a lessening of the deficit in sitting height by 0.46 +/- 0.14 SD (P <.01). Adult gymnasts who had been retired for 8 years had no deficit in sitting height, leg length, or menstrual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Short stature in active gymnasts is partly due to selection of individuals with reduced leg length. Reduced sitting height is likely to be acquired but is reversible with cessation of gymnastics. A history of gymnastic training does not appear to result in reduced stature or menstrual dysfunction in adulthood.

Adolescent↗