Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mass in prepubertal tennis players
J Sanchis-Moysi1, C Dorado, H Olmedillas
1University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Physical Education, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 20, 2010
Summary
Early tennis play significantly boosts bone mineral content and density in a child's dominant arm, enhancing bone size and strength before puberty. This localized effect highlights the impact of sport-specific training on pediatric bone development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Bone Health
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Childhood physical activity is crucial for lifelong bone health.
- Understanding the impact of specific sports on developing bone is essential.
- Prepubertal bone development is highly responsive to mechanical loading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prepubertal exercise on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD).
- To compare bone parameters between tennis players, soccer players, and active controls under 12 years old.
- To determine if sport-specific activities lead to inter-limb asymmetry in bone characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 25 tennis players (TP), 21 soccer players (SP), and 22 controls (CG), all prepubertal and under 12.
- Measurement of BMC and BMD in the dominant arm (DA), non-dominant arm (NDA), lumbar spine, and femoral neck.
- Analysis of inter-arm differences in lean mass, BMC, BMD, and bone area.
Main Results:
- Tennis players exhibited significantly greater lean mass, BMC, and BMD in their dominant arm compared to their non-dominant arm.
- Increased BMC in the dominant arm was attributed to larger bone area and higher areal BMD.
- Inter-arm asymmetry in bone parameters was significantly higher in tennis players than in soccer players and controls.
- Lumbar spine BMC and BMD were similar across all groups; soccer players showed higher femoral neck BMD than tennis players.
Conclusions:
- Prepubertal tennis participation is associated with enhanced lean mass and bone mass in the playing arm.
- This enhancement is driven by increased bone size and areal BMD, indicating site-specific adaptations.
- Early sport specialization can lead to significant, localized bone development differences in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:27Compact Bone
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
01:09Spongy Bone
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
01:20Introduction to the Skeletal System
The skeletal system is the central framework of the body, consisting of different connective tissues: bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
01:17Gross Anatomy of Bone
The two main features of a long bone are the diaphysis and the epiphysis.
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...