Olympic fencers: adaptations in cortical and trabecular bone determined by quantitative computed tomography.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Bone remodeling is influenced by mechanical loading, as described by Wolff's Law.
• Understanding adaptations in elite athletes provides insights into bone and muscle response to specific physical demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the musculoskeletal adaptations, specifically in cortical bone, trabecular bone, and muscle, of Olympic fencers.
• To determine how bone structure and density change in response to the intermittent high-impact activity characteristic of fencing.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to scan the femurs of nine male Olympic fencers and nine matched controls.
• Measurements included cortical thickness, cortical and trabecular bone areas and densities, and muscle area.

Main Results:

• Fencers exhibited greater femoral cortical thickness and area, and higher cortical bone area proportion compared to controls.
• Olympic fencers showed increased trabecular bone density in the distal femur and significantly greater thigh muscle mass.
• Asymmetrical bone and muscle development was observed, with greater differences in the dominant thigh.

Conclusions:

• Elite fencers demonstrate significant musculoskeletal adaptations, including bone expansion and increased bone density.
• Greater muscle mass and asymmetrical development are key adaptations in Olympic fencers.
• This study is the first to document the specific bone and muscle adaptations in this athletic group.