[Bone hypertrophy as a results of training]

It is well known that adaptational processes following athletic training affect not only muscles and tendons, but also the skeletal system of the athlete. Functional adaptation of the bone is shown by an increase in cortical thickness, frequent development of bony spurs at the insertion of tendons and joint capsules, an increase of density of the bone substance, and bony changes as a reaction to increased mobility of bony junctions such as the symphysis of the pubic bones of the sacro-iliac joints. Recently, in an investigation involving 20 professional tennis players, we demonstrated that--in addition to the adaptational processes mentioned above--stimulation of longitudinal bone growth and widening of the joint space (cartilage hypertrophy) occur. The possibility of bony hypertrophy as a result of athletic training, especially with regard to increases in of bone density and bone diameter, should lead to incorporation of sports medical considerations into the prophylaxis and therapy of osteoporosis.