Comparison Of Bone Density In College Male And Female Ice Hockey Players Throughout A Season

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is an important health indicator of one’s bone health. Weight bearing activities are associated with an increase in BMD, though a reduction in BMD has been observed during a season in male basketball players (Klesges, et al, 1996). PURPOSE: To assess changes in BMD in male and female hockey players throughout their season. METHODS: Collegiate female and male hockey players were recruited. Each subject was DXA scanned (GE Prodigy) for BMD and Bone Mineral Content (BMC), along with Body Mass (BM), Region % Fat (R%F), Fat Mass (FM), Lean Body Mass (LBM), LBM/FM Ratio, LBM/BMC Ratio, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Comparisons were made between pre and post season using a 2-way ANOVA (sex by test: pre and post season). Stepwise linear regression was used to determine what variables best correlated with BMD. RESULTS: 19 females and 25 males participated (Females age 20.4 + 1.3y, Males age 22.1 + 1.2y). No differences were observed pre to post season for males and females for BMD, BMC, BMI, BM, R%F, FM, LBM, LBM/FM Ratio, and LBM/BMC Ratio. A difference among the female players was observed (pre to post) in BMC and the LBM/BMC Ratio (BMC 5.54 + 0.63 vs 5.37 + 0.81 p < 0.013, LM/BMC 17.90 + 1.17 vs 18.44 + 1.40 p < 0.009). Difference between the two sexes were observed in all variables, excluding BMI. LBM was the best predictor for BMD for both pre and post measurements; (R = .834; R2 = .696; Adjusted R2 .688: p < 0.001, and R = .820; R2 = .672; Adjusted R2 .664: p < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences through-out the season except for a reduction in BMC and increase in LBM/BMC in females. The increase in BMD in males is supported by past research and suggests a possible relationship to an increase in testosterone, which is positively related to LBM (Nieves, et al, 2009). This further supports the need for females to maximize their BMD during the period of peak growth.