title: Effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports: the PRO-BONE study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease associated with high morbidity, mortality and increased economic costs. Early prevention during adolescence appears to be one of the most beneficial practices. Exercise is an effective approach for developing bone mass during puberty, but some sports may have a positive or negative impact on bone mass accrual. Plyometric jump training has been suggested as a type of exercise that can augment bone, but its effects on adolescent bone mass have not been rigorously assessed. The aims of the PRO-BONE study are to: 1) longitudinally assess bone health and its metabolism in adolescents engaged in osteogenic (football), non-osteogenic (cycling and swimming) sports and in a control group, and 2) examine the effect of a 9 month plyometric jump training programme on bone related outcomes in the sport groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study will recruit 105 males aged 12-14 years who have participated in sport specific training for at least 3 hours per week during the last 3 years in the following sports groups: football (n = 30), cycling (n = 30) and swimming (n = 30). An age-matched control group (n = 15) that does not engage in these sports more than 3 hours per week will also be recruited. Participants will be measured on 5 occasions: 1) at baseline; 2) after 12 months of sport specific training where each sport group will be randomly allocated into two sub-groups: intervention group (sport + plyometric jump training) and sport group (sport only); 3) exactly after the 9 months of intervention; 4) 6 months following the intervention; 5) 12 months following the intervention. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, air displacement plethysmography and bioelectrical impedance), bone stiffness index (ultrasounds), physical activity (accelerometers), diet (24 h recall questionnaire), pubertal maturation (Tanner stage), physical fitness (cardiorespiratory and muscular), bone turnover markers and vitamin D will be measured at each visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PRO-BONE study is designed to investigate the impact of osteogenic and non-osteogenic sports on bone development in adolescent males during puberty, and how a plyometric jump training programme is associated with body composition parameters.
authors.affiliation: Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre. Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. dv231@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlachopoulos
authors.affiliation: Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre. Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. A.R.Barker@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre. Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. C.A.Williams@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. K.M.Knapp@exeter.ac.uk.|University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK. K.M.Knapp@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.affiliation: Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre. Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. B.Metcalf@exeter.ac.uk.|University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK. B.Metcalf@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Brad S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.affiliation: Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre. Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. l.a.gracia-marco@exeter.ac.uk.|Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. l.a.gracia-marco@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gracia-Marco
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*