Journal article
The effect of exercise on bone mineral density in premenopausal female athletes compared with non-athletes
South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol.14(1), pp.20-25
2001
Abstract
Objectives. The objective of this preliminary study was to determine the effect of exercise, diet, menstrual status and anthropometry on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip and forearm of young Caucasian female athletes aged 20 - 30 years. Design. Nine female athletes and a control group (N = 9) were recruited within the same range for age and body mass index (BMI). Weight, height and skinfolds were measured. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. An activity and a medical questionnaire were also completed. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine, left hip and forearm. Results. No significant difference between reported nutrient intakes of athletes and controls was found. Significant negative correlations were found between spine BMD of the whole group (N = 18) and total calcium intake, as well as between forearm BMD and luteal phase, menstrual cycle and number of active exercise hours per week. Athletes had a significantly lower forearm BMD, lower percentage body fat and longer active exercise time per week. Women with a history of amenorrhoea (N = 3) had a lower average BMD and exercised significantly more than the eumenorrhoeic women. Conclusion. It is suggested that active weekly exercise, menstrual status and percentage body fat may all have a direct or indirect effect on the forearm BMD of white female athletes. Exercising, premenopausal women are advised to lower lifestyle risk factors that may lead to a low BMD at a young age, to maintain a percentage body fat of > 12 - 14%, and if amenorrhoea is present, to undergo medical examination to identify the cause. However, because of the limited number of subjects in the study, no definite recommendations can be made.
Details
- Title
- The effect of exercise on bone mineral density in premenopausal female athletes compared with non-athletes
- Authors
- Hattie H Vorster Jr. (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Sport Sciences - LegacyC S Venter (Author) - Potchefstroom University for Higher Christian Education, South AfricaG J A Beetge (Author) - Medi-Clinic, South AfricaH S Steyn (Author) - Potchefstroom University for Higher Christian Education, South Africa
- Publication details
- South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol.14(1), pp.20-25
- Publisher
- Medpharm Publications Pty. Ltd.
- Date published
- 2001
- ISSN
- 1011-8578
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2001 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 South Africa License.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449428602621
- Output Type
- Journal article