title: Low bone mineral density in professional scuba divers.
abstract: Scuba diving is associated with a 90% reduction in effective weight and with the loss of a weight-bearing effect on joints. These conditions are very similar to the continuous weightlessness that occurs in spaceflight and bed-rest, which are clearly associated with significant bone mass loss. Here, we studied the bone mineral density (BMD) of 66 professional scuba divers using a dual-photon densitometer, and have depicted a reduction in the BMD in comparison to a matched control group of non-divers. Our results suggest that diving is also an activity where the unloading effect alters bone metabolism, leading to a reduction in BMD.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Santa Maria Hospital, Av. Prof Egas Moniz, 1600, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pereira Silva
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costa Dias
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Canhao
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viana Queiroz
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D004242:Diving / Q000502:physiology*; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D014893:Weightlessness / Q000009:adverse effects*