Comparison of Bone Mineral Density in Lumbar Spine between Athletic and Non-Athletic Premenopausal Women

The purpose of the present research was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine between athletic and non-athletic premenopausal women.

Fifteen female athletes (runner) with the mean age of 33. 80 ± 4. 81 years، mean height of 164. 13 ± 5. 31 cm، mean weight of 57. 33 ± 4. 22 kg، and mean body mass index (BMI) of 21. 41 ± 2. 21 kg/m2 and 15 female non-athletes with yhe mean age of 36. 73 ± 5. 02 years، mean height of 161. 20 ± 4. 17 cm، mean weight of 68. 00 ± 10. 67 kg، and mean BMI of 26. 78 ± 4. 34 kg/m2 at the premenopausal age (30-45 years) were participated. The BMD of lumbar spines were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The collected data were analyzed through t-test statistical methods.

Based on T-score and Z-score criteria، all of athletes had normal bone tissue while، 13. 3 percent of non-athletes were osteopenic. Moreover، the BMD of lumbar in athletes was significantly more than non-athletes. Furthermore، in the lumbar spine region، significant differences observed between the T-score and Z-score values for both athletes and non athletes.

It seems likely that running can increase the BMD of lumbar in premenopausal women; therefore، it can play an important role in preventing osteoporosis as an effective non-medicine method.