Prevent Disease.com - Playing Soccer Strengthens Young Mens' Bones



		Playing Soccer Strengthens Young Mens' Bones Excerpt By Suzanne Rostler, Reuters Health NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Long-term participation in soccer can boost the density of bones at key skeletal sites in males, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures over the long term, study findings suggest. According to the report, young men who began playing soccer before they reached puberty had heavier bones in their legs and spine than men who had been more sedentary over the years. ``The fact that femoral neck (upper thighbone) bone mineral density decreases with age, and that the lower the bone mineral density, the greater is the risk of hip fracture, implies that (soccer) participation may be a very efficient way to reduce hip fractures later in life,'' Dr. Jose A. L. Calbet, the principal study author, told Reuters Health. It is not clear whether participation in other sports would lead to similar results, but the researchers note that soccer, which involves running, jumping and kicking, might be better than long distance running, for instance. Calbet, from the University of Tafira in the Canary Islands, Spain, explained that the mechanical stress generated during a game of soccer enhances bone mass in the legs and spine. Still, spending 30 to 60 minutes a day, 2 to 3 days a week on some form of weight-bearing exercise has been shown to maintain or boost bone mass. Weight-bearing exercise includes soccer, running, lifting weights and several other activities. The investigators compared the bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of 33 male soccer players and 19 inactive males. The men were an average age of 23 years, weighed about 73 kilograms (about 160 pounds), and had similar calcium intakes. The athletes had a 13% higher whole body BMC than non-athletes, the researchers report in the October issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. BMC and BMD were also higher at key skeletal sites such as the lower spine and the femoral neck. Not surprisingly, soccer players also had about 8% more muscle mass and a lower percentage of body fat overall. They also consumed about 27% more calories a day than their non-active peers. ``The most important consequence of our findings for osteoporosis is that (soccer) participation, even at an amateur level, is associated with marked enhancement of bone mass and density,'' Calbet said. SOURCE: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2001;33:1682-1687. Reference Source 89 For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use PreventDisease.com's "Quick Prevention Resources".