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Difference in bone metabolism beetwen experienced SCUBA divers and controls
Author(s) -
Bozic Josko,
Kurir Tina Ticinovic,
Novak Anela,
SupeDomic Daniela,
Salamunic Ilza,
Jurin Zdravka,
Bilopavlovic Nada,
Valic Maja,
Valic Zoran
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.712.21
Subject(s) - medicine , bone mineral , scuba diving , bone remodeling , christian ministry , lumbar , dual energy , lumbar spine , surgery , osteoporosis , biology , zoology , philosophy , theology
The bones of divers are subjected to stress from water pressure, from the forces generated when their muscles resist water pressure, and from weightlessness. Several previously published studies have shown conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in experienced SCUBA divers. In this study we included 10 experienced SCUBA divers with a mean age of 47±2.4 years (mean±SEM). The average number of diving years was 26.1 with 381 diving hours per year. The control group included 10 healthy man who were matched by age, weight, and height. The BMD of lumbar spine and hip regions was assessed by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry and biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured. The BMD value for total lumbar spine in divers was 1.252±0.031 vs. 1.136±0.041 g/cm 2 in control group and for total hip was 1.172±0.047 vs. 1.102±0.041 g/cm 2 in control group. T scores were 1.54±0.28 vs. 0.42±0.37 and 1.05±0.27 vs. 0.45±0.28 for lumbar and hip regions, respectively. There were no significant differences in bone turnover markers between groups, except in sRANKL concentration (in divers group 1322±466 vs. 2316±1046 pmol/L in control group. In conclusion, our results show that middle aged, experienced divers have increased BMD and decreased sRANKL levels. This study was supported by Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.