Jumping rope and whole-body vibration program effects on bone values in Olympic artistic swimmers

Artistic swimming seems not to benefit bone development like other out-of-water physical activities. To increase bone acquisition, artistic swimming should combine water training with weight-bearing impact or strength activities. Artistic swimmers can be a population at risk of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis in later life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a training program on bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and body composition in an Olympic artistic swimming team.

Sixteen women aged 17-21 years, who train 30 h/week, at the Olympic Training Centre (Barcelona, Spain), were followed up over two seasons. The 1st season involved regular artistic swimming training without specific training to reduce the risk of osteopenia. The exercise intervention, jumping rope and whole-body vibration, was added in the 2nd season. The protocol included 20 min of training 2 days per week, over a 22-week period. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry measured the bone variables and body composition. The daily diet, medical history and bone turnover markers were evaluated.

The intervention program increased BMD on lumbar spine (2.10%, p = 0.002), total hip (2.07%, p = 0.001), and femoral neck (2.39%, p = 0.02). Lower limb's fat mass decreased (10.17%, p = 0.038). No significant differences were found for any of the measured anthropometric characteristics between both time points in the 1st season. In conclusions, combined jump rope and vibration should be considered to reduce the risk of bone damage in artistic swimmers.