AEROBIC WORKOUT AND BONE MASS IN FEMALES

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate bone mass in females p articipating in aerobic workout. Twenty-three females (age 24.1+/-2.7 years), participating in aerobic workout for about 3 hours/week, were compared with 23 age, weight- and height-matched non-active females. A real bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in total body, head, whol e dominant humerus, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter femoris, in specific sites in right femur diaphysis, dista l femur, proximal tibia and tibial diaphysis, and bone mineral content (BMC) was measured in the whole dominant arm and right leg, using dua l energy X-ray absorptiometry. The aerobic workout group had significa ntly (P<0.05-0.01) higher BMD in total body (3.7%), lumbar spine (7.8% ), femoral neck (11.6%), Ward's triangle (11.7%), trochanter femoris ( 9.6%), proximal tibia (6.8%) and tibia diaphysis (5.9%) compared to th e non-active controls. There were no differences between the groups co ncerning BMD of the whole dominant humerus, femoral diaphysis, distal femur and BMC and lean mass of the whole dominant arm and right leg. L eaness of the whole dominant arm and leg was correlated to BMC of the whole dominant arm and right leg in both groups. In young females, aer obic workout containing alternating high and low impact movements for the lower body is associated with a higher bone mass in clinically imp ortant sites likes the lumbar spine and hip, but muscle strengthening exercises like push-ups and soft-glove boxing are not associated with a higher bone mass in the dominant humerus. It appears that there is a skeletal adaptation to the loads of the activity.