Differences In BMD Z-scores Of Athletes Participating In Difference Sports Types

BACKGROUND: Assessing bone mineral density (BMD), an important metric for bone health, is a valuable component of body composition analysis in athletes. Low BMD, interpreted through z-scores specific to age, sex, and ethnicity, may be indicative of inadequate energy intake, an increased risk of stress-related injuries, or early onset of osteopenia/osteoporosis. Sport-type may influence an athlete’s BMD and bone-related health status. PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in BMD z-scores across athletes participating in different sports. METHODS: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men (n = 152) and women (n = 208) athletes participated in this cross-sectional study. A whole-body dual x-ray absorptiometry scan was used for determination of BMD. Athletes were stratified into groups: court sports (n = 161), field sports (n = 134), strength and power sports (n = 24), and non-weight-bearing sports (n = 41). A one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis was used to identify differences in BMD z-scores across sport types. An independent samples t-test was conducted to evaluate differences in BMD z-scores between men and women. Significance was set to p < 0.05. RESULTS: BMD z-score by sport type is included in Table 1. Significant differences in BMD z-scores across sport types were observed (p < 0.001). Strength and power sports had greater BMD z-scores than field sports (p = 0.036) and non-weight-bearing sports (p < 0.001). Non-weight-bearing sports had lower BMD z-scores than field sports (p < 0.001) and court sports (p < 0.001). Men had greater BMD z-scores than women (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Non-weight-bearing sports presented the lowest BMD z-scores while strength and power sports presented with the highest. It is recommended practitioners develop training and nutrition programs to promote positive osteogenic effects to maintain bone health. Athletes participating in higher risk sports should undergo routine screening for low BMD.