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Bone mineral density in elite junior Olympic weightlifters
B P Conroy1, W J Kraemer, C M Maresh
1Department of Sport, Leisure, and Exercise Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Elite junior weightlifters exhibit higher bone mineral density (BMD) due to intense resistance training. Muscular strength significantly correlates with BMD, indicating training
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Heavy resistance training is known to impact bone health.
- Understanding the relationship between muscular strength and bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for young athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and muscular strength in elite young male athletes.
- To explore the influence of intensive resistance training on BMD in adolescent weightlifters.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur.
- BMD measurements were compared between 25 elite junior weightlifters and 11 age-matched controls.
- Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between BMD and muscular strength.
Main Results:
- Junior weightlifters demonstrated significantly higher BMD at all measured sites compared to controls.
- BMD in junior weightlifters was also significantly greater than adult reference data.
- Muscular strength accounted for 30-65% of the variance in BMD.
Conclusions:
- Intense, sport-specific training in elite junior weightlifters leads to enhanced bone mineral density.
- Muscle strength plays a significant role in influencing BMD in these young athletes.
- Chronic mechanical overloads from weightlifting positively affect bone development.