Bone density in competitive figure skaters.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of competitive female teenage figure skaters with a history of fracture with the BMD of skaters without fracture and to compare each group to age-matched, nonathletic controls.


METHODS
Retrospective age-matched cohort.


METHODS
Tertiary care medical center and 3 local skating clubs.


METHODS
Thirty-six adolescent female competitive skaters (10 with fracture, 26 without fracture) to 22 age-matched controls.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
BMD was estimated by quantitative ultrasound.


RESULTS
Skaters who had suffered stress fractures had BMD values comparable with those of healthy nonathletic controls. However, skaters who had not suffered stress fractures had calcaneal BMD values 15% to 24% greater than either the controls or skaters with fractures. Among the skaters without fracture, there was a 14% to 19% higher calcaneal BMD in skaters who executed triple jumps relative to skaters who performed only double jumps. Furthermore, there was 7% to 11% greater BMD in the landing foot of the skaters relative to the takeoff foot.


CONCLUSIONS
Stress fractures in adolescent skaters are not caused by low bone mass but may result from excessive forces placed on a normal skeleton. Our findings also support the hypothesis that higher peak forces are applied to the landing foot relative to the takeoff foot.
Oleson
Christina V
CV
Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. ChristinaVOleson@msn.com
Busconi
Brian D
BD
Baran
Daniel T
DT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012861:Skating / Q000293:injuries*