Quantitative heel ultrasound variables in powerlifters and controls

To compare by cross sectional study the quantitative heel ultrasound (QUS) variables broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and velocity of sound (VOS) in male powerlifters and controls.

Twenty four powerlifters and 21 sedentary male controls were recruited to the study. All the powerlifters were members of the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association and actively competing at the time of the study. A questionnaire was completed by all those entered into the study. This included a history of smoking and an estimation of daily intake of alcohol and calcium. For the powerlifters, the number of years spent training and time spent training each week was also recorded. The QUS variables of all powerlifters and controls were measured using a Cubaclinical II (McCue) ultrasound scanner.

The powerlifters had been training for a mean (SEM) of 10.6 (1.6) years and they trained for 6.5 (0.4) hours a week. The powerlifters were non-significantly older and had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than the controls. Calcium intake and consumption of alcohol and tobacco were similar in the two groups. The mean BUA in the powerlifters was a significant 9.5% (95% confidence interval 0.7 to 18.3%) higher than the controls (105 v 96 dB/MHZ) and 15.6% (95% confidence interval 6.8 to 24.4%) higher after adjustment using analysis of covariance for age, BMI, and alcohol and tobacco consumption (108 v 93 dB/MHZ). The mean VOS was similar in the two groups, but after adjustment it was significantly higher in the powerlifters (1671 v 1651 m/s, p<0.01).

The study shows the ability of heel ultrasound to discriminate between QUS variables in powerlifters and controls. The results indicate that the QUS variables BUA and VOS are significantly higher for powerlifters than for controls.