Comparison of pQCT parameters between ulna and radius in retired elite gymnasts: the skeletal benefits associated with long-term gymnastics are bone- and site-specific.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the skeletal benefits associated with gymnastics between ulna and radius.


METHODS
19 retired artistic gymnasts, aged 18-36 years, were compared to 24 sedentary women. Bone mineral content (BMC), total and cortical bone area (ToA, CoA), trabecular and cortical volumetric density (TrD, CoD) and cortical thickness (CoTh) were measured by pQCT at the 4% and 66% forearm.


RESULTS
At the 4% site, BMC and ToA were more than twice greater at the radius than ulna whereas at the 66% site, BMC, ToA, CoA, CoTh and SSIpol were 20 to 51% greater at the ulna than radius in both groups (p<0.0001). At the 4% site, the skeletal benefits in BMC of the retired gymnasts over the non-gymnasts were 1.9 times greater at the radius than ulna (p<0.001), with enlarged bone size at the distal radius only. In contrast, the skeletal benefits at the 66% site were twice greater at the ulna than radius for BMC and CoA (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas the skeletal benefits associated with long-term gymnastics were greater at the radius than ulna in the distal forearm, the reverse was found in the proximal forearm, suggesting both bones should be analysed when investigating forearm strength.
Ducher
G
G
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. gaele.ducher@deakin.edu.au
Hill
B L
BL
Angeli
T
T
Bass
S L
SL
Eser
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing