title: Influence of hard vs. soft ground surfaces on bone accretion in prepubertal footballers.
abstract: Information regarding osteogenic effects of physical activity performed on different playing surfaces is scarce. A total of 42 children (9.2±0.2 years, Tanner stages I-II) participated in this study. 14 were playing on artificial turf soft ground (SG), 14 on a natural non-grass hard ground (HG) and 14 were assigned to the sedentary control group (C). Whole body and hip scans (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), anthropometric variables (weight and height) and physical fitness (VO2max) were determined in all participants. Bone mineral content (BMC) values were higher in the SG group compared to the C group at the legs (209.75±5.11 g vs. 187.42±5.14 g, respectively), pelvis (122.72±4.27 g vs. 98.58±4.29 g respectively) and whole-body level (1 126.1±22.81 g vs. 1 035.34±22.92 g, respectively). The hard ground (HG) group also showed higher values in the majority of BMC variables compared to the C group. Additionally, bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly higher at all sites of the hip in both active groups compared to control (P<0.05). No differences between HG and SG were found. In summary, similar bone mass accretion is obtained by prepubescent footballers independently of the surface on which they practice football.
authors.affiliation: IGOID Toledo Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: M Plaza-
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vicente-Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: GENUD Toledo Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martín-García
authors.affiliation: Sports Science Institute, University Camilo Jose Cela, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burillo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.affiliation: GENUD Toledo Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mata
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursery and Physiatry, Zaragoza University, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Casajús
authors.affiliation: IGOID Toledo Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallardo
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ara
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*