Original scientific paper
Relationships between Anthropometric, Body Composition and Bone Mineral Parameters in 7-8-year-old Rhythmic Gymnasts Compared with Controls
Anna-Liisa Parm
Meeli Saar
Kristel Pärna
Jaak Jürimäe
Katre Maasalu
Inga Neissaar
Toivo Jürimäe
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between specific anthropometric (9 skinfolds, 13 girths, 8
lengths and 8 breadths), body composition (body fat %, fat free mass [FFM], fatmass [FM]) parameters and bone mineral
parameters (bone mineral density [BMD], bone mineral content [BMC]) in young rhythmic gymnasts and same age controls.
Eighty nine 7-8-year-old girls participated in this study and were divided to the rhythmic gymnast's (n=46) and
control (n=43) groups. Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (FFM, FM, body fat %,
BMD and BMC). Body fat % and FM were lower and BMD and BMC values at lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck
were higher in rhythmic gymnasts compared with controls. All measured skinfold thicknesses were thicker in controls.
In girths, lengths and widths there were only few significant differences between the groups. Stepwise multiple regression
analysis indicated that skinfold thicknesses (supraspinale and medial calf) influenced L2-L4 BMD only in controls
38.2% (R2x100). Supraspinale and iliac crest skinfold thicknesses characterised L2-L4 BMC 43.9% (R2x100). Calf girths
influenced BMD in L2-L4 52.3% (R²x100) in controls. BMC in L2-L4 was dependent only on mid-thigh girths 35.9%
(R2x100). BMD in L2-L4 was dependent on tibiale-laterale height 30.0% (R2x100). Biiliocristal breadths together with
sitting height characterised BMC in L2-L4 BMD 62.3% (R2x100). In conclusion, we found that the relationships between
anthropometry, body composition and bone parameters in young rhythmic gymnasts are weak. In control group first of
all lower body anthropometric parameters significantly correlated with BMD and BMC in spine.
Keywords
anthropometrics; body composition; bone mineral density; bone mineral content; prepubertal girls; rhythmic gymnasts
Hrčak ID:
72166
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2011.
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