title: Combat sports practice favors bone mineral density among adolescent male athletes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of combat sports practice on bone mineral density (BMD) and to analyze the relationship between bone parameters and anthropometric measurements, bone markers, and activity index (AI). In other words, to detect the most important determinant of BMD in the adolescent period among combat sports athletes. Fifty athletes engaged in combat sports, mean age 17.1±0.2 yr, were compared with 30 sedentary subjects who were matched for age, height, and pubertal stage. For all subjects, the whole-body BMD, lumbar spine BMD (L2-L4), and BMD in the pelvis, arms, and legs was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated. Daily calcium intake, bone resorption, and formation markers were measured. BMD measurements were greater in the combat sports athletes than in the sedentary group (p<0.01). Weight, body mass index, and lean body mass were significantly correlated with BMD in different sites. Daily calcium consumption lower than daily calcium intake recommended in both athletes and sedentary group. AI was strongly correlated with all BMD measurements particularly with the whole body, legs, and arms. Negative correlations were observed between bone markers and BMD in different sites. The common major predictor of BMD measurements was AI (p<0.0001). AI associated to lean body mass determined whole-body BMD until 74%. AI explained both BMD in arms and L2-L4 at 25%. AI associated to height can account for 63% of the variance in BMD legs. These observations suggested that the best model predicting BMD in different sites among adolescent combat sports athletes was the AI. Children and adolescents should be encouraged to participate in combat sports to maximize their bone accrual.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia. Electronic address: raouf.nasri@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Raouf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nasri
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Monastir Teaching Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Saoussen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassen Zrour
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Haithem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rebai
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Monastir Teaching Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Fadoua
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Neffeti
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Monastir Teaching Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Fadhel
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Najjar
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Monastir Teaching Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Naceur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bergaoui
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Protein Sequencer, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hafedh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mejdoub
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zouhair
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tabka
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D056352:Athletes; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism; D001914:Boxing / Q000502:physiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary
keywords: Activity index; adolescent; bone markers; calcium intake; combat sports