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Bone health in elite Kenyan runners
Nicholas Tam1, Jordan Santos-Concejero1,2, Ross Tucker1,3
1a Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|April 14, 2017
Summary
Elite Kenyan runners show higher bone density in the proximal femur due to impact loading. However, they also present a high prevalence of low lumbar spine bone density, possibly linked to energy imbalance from intense training.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Bone Health
Background:
- Impact loading is linked to bone mineral density (BMD) in athletes.
- This relationship remains understudied in elite Kenyan runners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) and its associations with training load and biomechanics in elite Kenyan runners.
- To compare BMD between elite Kenyan runners and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for body composition and BMD.
- Measurement of training load and joint stiffness (ankle, knee).
- Comparison between 15 elite Kenyan runners and 23 South African male controls.
Main Results:
- Elite Kenyan runners had significantly higher proximal femur BMD (PFBMD).
- 40% of runners showed low lumbar spine Z-scores (LS Z-Scores < -2.0 SD).
- PFBMD correlated with training load and ankle/knee joint stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Impact loading benefits weight-bearing bone density in elite Kenyan runners.
- Low LSBMD prevalence suggests potential energy deficit from high training load.
- Further research on energy availability and musculoskeletal injury risk is warranted.