The effect of past gymnastics participation on adult bone mass.
Kirchner, Elisabeth M., & Richard D. Lewis Patrick J. O'connor.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, The University of Georgia,
Department of Exercise Science, The University of Georgia
APStracts 2:0387A, 1995.
The purposes of this study were to determine bone mineral density
(BMD) of former female college gymnasts (FG; n = 18) and controls
(FC; n = 15) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, to compare BMD
of FG to current college gymnasts (CG; n = 26) and to examine the
relationships of current and former activity levels, diet and
menstrual history to BMD. Current physical activity, dietary intake
and menstrual irregularity were assessed using standardized
questionnaires. A study-designed questionnaire was used to assess
past physical activity. The BMDs of the FG were significantly higher
(P < 0.001) than FC for the lumbar spine (LS), total proximal
femur (PF), femoral neck (FN), Ward's triangle (WT) and whole body,
even when the influences of current and past physical activity levels
were statistically controlled via ANCOVA. FG and FC did not differ in
nutrient intakes and there were no BMD differences between FG who
always had regular menstrual cycles versus those who had an
interruption (>/= 3 months) of their menstrual cycle in the past. FG
had significantly lower BMDs at the PF, FN and WT than CG (P <
0.02), while there were no significant differences between FC and CC.
The major finding of this investigation is that while FG had lower
BMD than CG, FG still had higher BMD than FC, suggesting the
possibility of a residual effect of college gymnastics participation
maintaining higher BMD.
Received 2 December 1994; accepted in final form 29 August 1995.
APS Manuscript Number A1230-4.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 23 September 1995.