The Effects of Endurance Running Training on Young Adult Bone: Densitometry vs. Biomaterial Properties - Biomaterials: Physics and Chemistry - page 332

training mileage did not show
difference in BMD as compared to
control group.

Greene et
al. 20

♀, 161.7, 18.71.5, 6hr/wk
for >2yr

Runner showed higher BMD and
BMC in distal tibia, densitometric
measurement performed only in
distal tibia.

SS ↑

Egan et al. 19 ♀, 21.52.6 yr, 20.23,

8.43.4h/wk for 6.02.1yr

All sports groups had higher BMD
values than did the controls. Runners
showed a higher BMD only in legs
and proximal femur, but lower than
rugby athletes.

SS ↑

Fredericson
et al. 21

♂, 24.23.2 yr, 20.31.3,
70mile/wk for at least 1yr

Soccer player was higher in BMD of
the skeleton at all sites measured.
Runners only showed higher BMD in
calcaneus than control group.

SS ↑

Brahm et al. 3 ♀&♂, 32yr, 22, 7h/wk for
12yr

Runners were significantly higher in
total body, legs, femoral neck,
trochanter wards triangle and
calcaneus BMD than control group.

↑

Stewart &
Hannan 24

Runners showed higher total body
and legs BMD.

↑ ♂, 27.66.1yr, 21.91.3,

8.72.7h/week, club level
runners

↑

Duncan
et al. 22

♀, 17.61.4 yr, 21.31.6,
8.41.2 h/wk for 6.21.7 yr,
high school level athlete

Runner were significantly higher in
total body, lumbar spine, femoral
neck and leg BMD as compared to
BMI-matched control group

Kemmler
et al. 23

Runners were higher in total body
BMD, legs, pelvis, femoral neck,
calcaneus BMD as compared to the
BMI (20.7) matched control group

↑ ♂, 26.65.5yr, 20.9,

9.252h/wk for 8.9 yr

Note: a , subjects were divided into three groups (NR, runners with normal BMD; LR, runners with
low BMD, C, control group); b , runners were divided into five groups according to their training
mileage per week, BMI value was not matched among groups that control group showed the
highest value; ↓ , runners were comprehensively lower than control group in total body and local
bone; =, no significant difference was shown between runners and control group; SS ↑ , runners
showed site-specific increment in BMD; ↑ , runners showed higher BMD in total body as well as in
local bone.
Table 1. Summary of cross-sectional studies of BMD in adolescent or young adult distance
runners

2.1.2 Results of human studies: Bone metabolism status in distance runners
As mentioned above, ERT conferred no clear benefits to bone health. An important inquiry
is whether endurance running influences the physiology ( e.g. exercise-induced acidosis) or
causes related abnormalities in hormonal homeostasis ( e.g. menstrual disorders in females
or lower testosterone in males) that negatively affect the bone.