Is Osteopenia a Health Risk in Professional Cyclists?

Abstract 

Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Lunar DPX-NT, SV 4.0 in 23 professional male cyclists (age: 28.5±3.9yr; height: 179±6.8cm; weight: 70.9±7.1kg⁻¹). Eight subjects had normal L1–L4 T-score values (−0.19±0.62) and 15 had low values (−1.57±0.45). Correlations between: L1–L4 T-scores and body weight, fat mass (FM) and % FM (r=0.40, p<0.05; r=0.65, p<0.001; r=0.59, p<0.01). Regression analysis: L1–L4 T-score and FM (R²=0.42; p<0.001); total BMC and fat-free mass (FFM) (R²=0.60; p<0.0001); and total BMD and BMI (R²=0.25; p<0.05). Climbers had lower arms BMD (0.85±0.04; p<0.05). Flat-terrain cyclist had lower right leg FFM (9.7±0.8kg; p<0.05). Time trialists had higher body weight (76.7±4.4kg; p<0.05), total FFM (68.3±4.7kg), total BMC (3.1±0.3; p<0.03), right and left leg BMC (0.60±0.1; 0.60±0.1; p<0.05), and spinal BMD (1.09±0.1; p<0.05). In conclusion, two-thirds of professional cyclists had abnormally low BMD values.

Key Words: Bone mineral content, bone mineral density, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, professional cyclists