title: The Impact of Sport Participation on Bone Mass and Geometry in Male Adolescents.
abstract: Exercise is an effective approach for developing bone mass and adolescence is a key period to optimize bone health. However, sports-specific training may have different effects on bone outcomes. This study examined the differences on bone outcomes between osteogenic (football) and nonosteogenic (swimming and cycling) sports and a control group in male adolescents.
  
  
  
  One hundred twenty one males (13.1 ± 0.1 yr) were measured: 41 swimmers, 37 footballers, 29 cyclists, and 14 controls. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measured bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content at lumbar spine, right and left hip, and total body. Hip Structural Analysis evaluated bone geometry at the femoral neck. Quantitative ultrasound evaluated bone stiffness at both feet.
  
  
  
  Footballers had significantly higher BMD at total body less head (7%-9%), total hip (12%-21%), and legs (7%-11%) compared with all groups and significantly higher BMD at the femoral neck than controls (14%). Cyclists had higher BMD at the trochanter (10%) and bone mineral content at the arms (10%) compared with controls. Geometrical analysis showed that footballers had significantly higher cross-sectional area (8%-19%) compared with all groups, cross-sectional moment of inertia (17%) compared with controls and section modulus compared with cyclists (11%) and controls (21%). Footballers had significantly higher bone stiffness compared with all groups (10%-20%) at the dominant foot and (12%-13%) at the nondominant foot compared with swimmers and controls.
  
  
  
  Adolescent male footballers exhibited higher bone density, geometry, and stiffness compared with swimmers, cyclists and controls. Although swimmers and cyclists had higher bone outcomes compared with controls, these differences were not significant.
authors.affiliation: 1Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UNITED KINGDOM; 2Center for Sport and Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, ICELAND; 3Department of Medical Imaging, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UNITED KINGDOM; 4University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UNITED KINGDOM; 5Department of Kinesiology, Institute for Research and Technology, Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE; and 6Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, SPAIN.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlachopoulos
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: SIGURBJöRN A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: ARNGRíMSSON
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: Brad S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: Ioannis G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Fatouros
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gracia-Marco
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing