Abstract
The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) To determine differences in bone density (BD) of spine, hip, total body and kilocalories and selected nutrient intake over two consecutive months between athletic females (athletes) ages 18–28 years and age and height matched healthy, independent-living, nonpregnant, and nonathletic females (controls); and (2) To determine the relationships of single time measurement in BD of spine, hip and total body with usual intake of kilocalories, protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C and D for both female groups. Eighteen women met the established criteria for athletes and fifteen for matched controls. Percentage intake of estimated kilocalorie needs and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for the six nutrients were determined by analysis of three four-day food intake records. The BD calculations were obtained from single BD measurements of spine, hip and total body by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Mean hip BD, 1.05 g/cm2 vs 0.98 g/cm2, and mean total body BD, 1.17 g/cm2 vs 1.11 g/cm2, were significantly different (p<0.05) for athletes and controls respectively. Statistical significance between groups was found by Hotelling's T Square for Paired Comparisons for hip (p=0.04) and total body (p=0.01) BD. No significant differences were found by ANOVA for repeated measures between groups or over time for usual intake of kilocalories, protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C and D, respectively. Three correlation matrices were utilized to determine the relationships among the athletes, the controls, and the total group with respect to all BD and nutrient intake variables. Vitamin A and hip BD correlated significantly (p<0.05) in all three matrices and calcium and total body BD were significant (p=0.02) for the controls. Nutrient intake did not differ significantly between the athletes and controls. However, differences in BD between the athletes and controls support the positive effects of mechanical loading in cortical bone of the appendicular skeleton.
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