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Bone Mineral Density in Professional Cyclists
Author(s) -
Medelli Jean,
Lounana J,
Shabani M,
Fardellone P,
CorderoMacIntyre Zaida
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a591-c
Subject(s) - bone mineral , medicine , mann–whitney u test , population , homogeneous , spearman's rank correlation coefficient , mathematics , urology , physical therapy , osteoporosis , statistics , combinatorics , environmental health
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) in professional cyclists. Methods The general and local BMD of 23 professional cyclists ( 28.5 ±3.9 years; 179 ±6.8 m; 70.9 ±7.1 kg) of the same team has been assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry with a GE Lunar Prodigy. The classic T‐score based on average L1‐L4 was used to differentiate between subjects. At the same time, the following biological parameters were evaluated: Hgb, Hct, K, proteins, Ca, P, Mg, alkaline phosphatase, as well as the following endocrinian markers: Osteocalcine, Cortisol, Testosterone, TSH and IGF‐1. Statistical analysis was performed using mean comparison with Mann‐Whitney U test and Spearman correlations. Results Two separate groups were identified: 8 subjects with normal average L1‐L4 T‐score (−0.19 ±0.62) and 15 subjects with sub normal values (−1.57 ±0.45). Age and height were not significantly different but normal subjects had higher values of the parameters listed in the following table: No significant difference was found between any of the biological parameters. However a significant correlation (p<0.05) was revealed between average L1‐L4 T‐score and BMD, total as well as arms, legs, basin, spine, ribs osteodensity, therefore validating the criterion used to differentiate between subjects. Furthermore, correlations were found between BMD and IGF‐1 (R=0.53), Testosterone ( R=0.43) and Osteocalcine (R=0.42). Conclusion In an apparently homogeneous population of healthy professional cyclists, 65% of the subjects were found to have a significantly lower bone density.