Quantitative heel ultrasound variables in powerlifters and controls

Objective-To compare by cross sectional study the quantitative heel ultraso und (QUS) variables broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and velocity of sound (VOS) in male powerlifters and controls. Methods-Twenty four powerlifters and 21 sedentary male controls were recrui ted to the study. All the powerlifters were members of the British Drug Fre e Powerlifting Association and actively competing at the time of the study. A questionnaire was completed by all those entered into the study. This in cluded a history of smoking and an estimation of daily intake of alcohol an d calcium. For the powerlifters, the number of years spent training and tim e spent training each week was also recorded. The QUS variables of all powe rlifters and controls were measured using a Cubaclinical II (McCue) ultraso und scanner. Results-The powerlifters had been training for a mean (SEM) of 10.6 (1.6) y ears and they trained for 6.5 (0.4) hours a week. The powerlifters were non -significantly older and had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) t han the controls. Calcium intake and consumption of alcohol and tobacco wer e similar in the two groups. The mean BUA in the powerlifters was a signifi cant 9.5% (95% confidence interval 0.7 to 18.3%) higher than the controls ( 105 v 96 dB/MHZ) and 15.6% (95% confidence interval 6.8 to 24.4%) higher af ter adjustment using analysis of covariance for age, BMI, and alcohol and t obacco consumption (108 v 93 dB/MHZ). The mean VOS was similar in the two g roups, but after adjustment it was significantly higher in the powerlifters (1671 v 1651 m/s, p<0.01). Conclusions-The study shows the ability of heel ultrasound to discriminate between QUS variables in powerlifters and controls. The results indicate th at the QUS variables BUA and VOS are significantly higher for powerlifters than for controls.