Risk Factors for Bone Mineral Degradation in Young Female Dancers

Abstract

Research articles on bone mineral characteristics are not scarce in the literature. Authors have quantified many different risk factors that influence these characteristics. Perhaps the most significant contributor to bone mineral characteristics, bone mineral density (BMD), and other bone mineral parameters is lifetime estrogen status. Age at onset of menarche influences bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD, with later menarcheal onset producing bone mineral decrements. Both lifetime estrogen status and age at menarche are significantly influenced by caloric intake and leptin levels. Poor dietary habits have been shown to produce reduced bone mineral parameters. Supplementation with calcium and magnesium, and the use of albuterol for asthma have been shown to significantly increase bone mineral properties. Heritability also greatly influences bone mineral parameters, as does ethnicity. BMD by ethnicity has been shown as highest in American Indians and African Americans, moderate in Caucasians and Hispanics, with the lowest levels being reported in Aians. Increases in Body Mass Index (BMI), lean, and fat mass have been shown to increase BMC and BMD. It has been widely shown that acquisition of BMC and BMD due to physical activity interventions occurs to a greater degree in premenarcheal versus postmenarcheal adolescent females. This increase in bone mineral parameters has been shown to be as high as 30% in adult competitive athletes who have trained since childhood. Specifically, the greatest increases in bone are produced through high intensity, high strain, high ground reaction force, varied type, and multiple bout, short duration activities.