STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND THE RELATION BETWEEN MUSCLE STRENGTH AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN FEMALE ATHLETES

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of physical activity on BMD and to detect the relationship between grip and pinch strength and the radial BMD in young female athletes.

Thirty collegiate female athletes were included in this study: 15 were participating in sports using mainly their upper limbs, and the other 15 were participating in sports using mainly their lower limbs. Ten age, height, weight, and body surface area-matched female control subjects were also included in this study. Full menstrual history was taken for all subjects participating in this study to exclude hormonal disturbance that might influence BMD especially in female athletes. Isometric grip and pinch strength, and distal radial BMD using DEXA were assessed for the dominant and the non-dominant sides in the UL user athletes and the control group. Proximal femoral BMD was assessed usin g in the LL user athletes and the control group. Also Lumbar spine BMD (L2-4) was assessed using in all subjects participating in this study. Lab investigations, including serum calcium, phosphorus, ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin were done for all subjects participating in this study.