Positive Influence of Long-Lasting and Intensive Weight-Bearing Physical Activity on Hip Structure of Young Adults

Abstract The aim was to analyze the associations between high-intensity and long-lasting weight-bearing sports with hip structure in young adults. One hundred and seventy-two subjects aged 17–28yr were divided into 4 groups: 40 athlete women (10.2±2.2h/wk), 30 control women, 67 athlete men (11.4±3.6h/wk), and 35 control men. The nondominant femur, lumbar spine, and whole body were scanned by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD). Hip structure analysis (HSA) software was applied to evaluate cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, and section modulus at the femoral neck, intertrochanter, and femoral shaft regions. All the BMC and BMD values were significantly higher in athletes of both sexes compared with controls ( p p r >0.32; p