E-Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZBMS 2021

Bone mineral density in retired elite rowers (#773)

Ayse Zengin 1 , Kristel Janssens 2 , Amy Mitchell 2 , André La Gerche 2 3 4 , Peter R Ebeling 1
  1. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  2. Sports Cardiology Lab, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  4. National Centre for Sports Cardiology, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia

Background: Young elite rowers accrue greater areal bone mineral density (aBMD) associated with mechanical loading. However, it is unknown whether retired elite rowers maintain a higher aBMD with ageing. Therefore, we measured aBMD in retired older elite male rowers.

 

Study design: Retired elite athletes were recruited from a database of athletes aged 45-80 years and who competed at State, National or International level for 10 or more years. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured aBMD (whole body, total hip and lumbar spine) and body composition where corrections for body size were made by dividing by height squared (kg/m2) giving fat mass index (FMI) and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI). VO2max (mL/kg/min) was assessed to determine cardiorespiratory fitness. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess lipids and kidney function. Data are expressed as mean±SD; aBMD (T-scores) are reported. Associations between ALMI, FMI and VO2max with aBMD with age adjustments was determined and p-values reported.

 

Results: The 82 men were aged 63.6±8.6 years, weighed 88.5±12.4kg, with a height of 183.6±7.7cm. They had normal ALMI (8.7±0.8kg/m2) and FMI (6.6±2.3kg/m2), while VO2max was in the superior range (38.8±9.8ml/kg/min). Biochemical tests revealed healthy ranges for lipids (cholesterol: 5.0±1.2, triglycerides: 1.2±0.8, HDL: 2.1±1.1, LDL: 3.1±1.0) and kidney function (creatinine: 82.0±14.8, eGFR: 83.8±9.6). BMD T-scores were either normal or high-normal at all sites: whole body (1.37±0.11g/cm2; T-score:+1.7), total hip (1.08±0.13g/cm2; T-score:-0.11), femoral neck (1.00±0.13g/cm2; T-score:-0.53) and lumbar spine (1.16±0.14 g/cm2; T-score:-0.41). ALMI was positively associated with aBMD at all sites except lumbar spine (all p<0.05), FMI was positively associated with aBMD at all sites (p<0.05). There were negative associations between total hip aBMD and VO2max (p=0.01).

 

Conclusion: Older retired elite male rowers had normal or high-normal aBMD. Performing high intensity endurance exercise for ≥10 years at a younger age, may contribute to improved bone health with ageing.