The relationship between bone parameters, body composition, and lower extremity strength in road cyclists

This study aimed to compare the relationships between bone and body composition parameters, and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of knee extensor (KE) muscles in road cyclists and untrained controls.

Twelve male road cyclists and 12 controls aged 20-34 years participated. The isometric MVC force of the KE muscles was assessed by a custom-made dynamometer. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition were assessed using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry.

No differences were found in body mass, lean body mass, leg lean mass, MVC, whole body, and leg BMD and BMC between cyclists and controls. Controls had a significantly greater (P<0.001) body mass index (BMI), whole body (P<0.01), and leg fat (P<0.001) mass than athletes. In road cyclists, BMC correlated positively with body mass (r=0.73; P<0.01) and BMI (r=0.65; P<0.05), body (r=0.85; P<0.001) and leg lean mass (r=0.81; P<0.001); BMD correlated positively with lean body mass (r=0.60; P<0.05), leg lean mass (r=0.65 and r=0.60; P<0.05). MVC of KE muscles correlated positively with bone parameters (P<0.01) and lean mass (P<0.05) only in controls.

Regular cycling training was associated with lower BMI, and body and leg fat mass. There were no significant differences in bone parameters, body and leg lean mass, and isometric MVC force of KE muscle variables between road cyclists and controls. In road cyclists, bone parameters are associated with body mass, and body and leg lean mass, but not with the isometric strength of KE muscles.