A comparison of bone mineral content between premenarcheal elite gymnasts and normally active girls

Abstract

Thirty premenarcheal elite gymnasts (training > 15 hrs./wk and competing at provincial level or higher) ranging in age from 8 to 15 years (M = 11.65, SD = 1.90) were age matched to 30 normally active girls ranging in age from 8 to 15 years (M = 11.52, SD = 1.76) to determine whether gymnasts would have a greater bone mineral content (BMC). Gymnastics training sessions were analysed to determine the magnitude and frequency of loads encountered. Potential confounding variables were: age, height, weight, pubic hair (PH) status, percent body fat, bone mineral free lean mass, current total caloric, calcium and Vitamin D intake, and physical activity level. The gymnasts were significantly shorter (p