Title

Bone density in competitive figure skaters

Authors

Christina V. Oleson, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Brian D. Busconi, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Daniel T. Baran, University of Massachusetts Medical School

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation

Publication Date

2002-01-10

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Adolescent; Adult; Bone Density; Female; Fractures, Stress; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Skating

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of competitive female teenage figure skaters with a history of fracture with the BMD of skaters without fracture and to compare each group to age-matched, nonathletic controls.

DESIGN: Retrospective age-matched cohort.

SETTING: Tertiary care medical center and 3 local skating clubs.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six adolescent female competitive skaters (10 with fracture, 26 without fracture) to 22 age-matched controls.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMD was estimated by quantitative ultrasound.

RESULTS: Skaters who had suffered stress fractures had BMD values comparable with those of healthy nonathletic controls. However, skaters who had not suffered stress fractures had calcaneal BMD values 15% to 24% greater than either the controls or skaters with fractures. Among the skaters without fracture, there was a 14% to 19% higher calcaneal BMD in skaters who executed triple jumps relative to skaters who performed only double jumps. Furthermore, there was 7% to 11% greater BMD in the landing foot of the skaters relative to the takeoff foot.

CONCLUSIONS: Stress fractures in adolescent skaters are not caused by low bone mass but may result from excessive forces placed on a normal skeleton. Our findings also support the hypothesis that higher peak forces are applied to the landing foot relative to the takeoff foot. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Source

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Jan;83(1):122-8.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation

Comments

Medical student Christina Oleson participated in this study as part of the Senior Scholars research program.

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

11782842

Repository Citation

Oleson CV, Busconi BD, Baran DT. (2002). Bone density in competitive figure skaters. Senior Scholars Program. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/ssp/90