Associations of Lean and Fat Mass Measures with Whole Body Bone Mineral Content and Bone Mineral Density in Female Adolescent Weightlifters and Swimmers

Abstract

Body composition and sport participation have been associated with bone mass. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations of lean and fat mass measures with whole body bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in female adolescent weightlifters, swimmers and non-athletic counterparts. This study included a total of 25 female adolescents (mean age: 15.3±1.1 years). Body composition and bone mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In most of the studied variables weight lifters had higher values compared to swimmers and non-athletes (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between swimmers and non-athletes (p>0.05). Lean and fat mass measures were positively associated with BMC and BMD for the total participants (p<0.05) while the associations differed when the study groups were analysed separately. In conclusion, both lean and fat mass measures were strongly related to BMC and BMD in female adolescents while these associations differed in swimmers, weightlifters and non-athletes.