title: Inter-limb musculoskeletal differences in competitive ten-pin bowlers: a preliminary analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare musculoskeletal characteristics of the loaded and non-loaded forearm and upper leg of competitive ten-pin bowlers.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 competitive bowlers (30.6∓6.8 yrs) had their areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition measured with Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone characteristics were assessed at 4% and 66% of the limb length of each radius and 50% of the limb length of each femur using a pQCT. Bone and muscle characteristics of the loaded and non-loaded limbs were compared and analyzed using paired t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The loaded arm of competitive bowlers had significantly (p<0.05) greater bone free lean body mass (BFLBM) (5%) and ultra distal radius site (UD radius) aBMD (6.3%) compared to the non-loaded side. Cortical and trabecular vBMD was significantly (p<0.05) greater (1.3%, 4.8%) at the radius 66% and 4% sites in the loaded forearm, respectively. aBMD of the femoral neck, trochanter, and total hip were significantly greater (12.2-15.6%) in the slide leg. Total (5.2%) and cortical (9.2%) bone areas, total (8.2%) and cortical (8.7%) bone mineral content (BMC), and cortical wall thickness (9%) were significantly greater at the 50% femur site in the slide leg compared to the contralateral side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The femoral shaft of bowlers adapts by increasing bone area and cortical thickness without a change in vBMD, while the loaded radius adapts by increasing vBMD.
authors.affiliation: Bone Density Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Sherk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bemben
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005542:Forearm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013848:Thigh / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult