Participation In Sports During Adolescence Positively Impacts Bone Health In Recruits Entering Basic Combat Training

Abstract

It is well documented that participation in sports during childhood is beneficial to skeletal health. Almost 40% of bone mineral content is attained during years of peak height velocity (females 10-14y; males 12-16y). Improving bone development during these years may be beneficial in mitigating musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) in Soldiers. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between participation in sports during adolescence and baseline bone microarchitectural parameters in recruits entering Basic Combat Training (BCT). METHODS: Survey data on sport participation from 840 Army recruits entering BCT were analyzed (611M, 25.0±3.7 kg/m2, 20.6±3.6y; 229F, 23.6±2.7 kg/m2, 20.4±3.5y). Low impact (LI) and high impact (HI) sports were categorized according to effective load stimulus scores. Middle school (MS) was defined as grades 6-8 (11-14y) and high school (HS) as grades 9-12 (14-18y). Baseline bone characteristics were measured at the ultradistal tibia using a high resolution CT scanner. Linear models were used to evaluate the association between bone microarchitecture and timing and impact category of sport played. Models were adjusted for ethnicity, BMI, age, and parents’ education. Effect estimates (EE) and p values for bone parameters compared to recruits who did not play sports (98M, 46F) are presented. RESULTS: Table 1 shows that participation in both low and high impact sports during adolescence had a significant effect on baseline bone measures in male and female recruits compared to those who did not participate in sports. While male sports participation in HS had a greater effect than MS sports participation, the opposite was observed in females. We found no significant effects in trabecular thickness, spacing or number. CONCLUSION: Promoting sports participation in children and adolescents, particularly during peak growth years, is important in providing long term skeletal health benefits and may help to reduce MSKIs in Soldiers.