Inter-arm asymmetry in bone mineral content and bone area in postmenopausal recreational tennis players

Abstract Objective: To determine whether long-term recreational tennis participation is associated with increased bone and muscle mass in the dominant compared to the non-dominant arm, in postmenopausal tennis players. Methods: Dual-energy X-ray whole body scans were performed in 10 postmenopausal tennis players (mean±S.D.; 59.7±4.8 years) and 12 postmenopausal non-active women (62.8±7.2 years) matched for age and height. Tennis players started in this sport at 31.4±8.8 years, and had been playing for 26.8±6.8 years, at least 3 h per week. In addition, shoulder isokinetic muscular strength was also evaluated. Results: Tennis participation resulted in a lower whole mass and fat mass in both arms ( P P r =0.81, P r =0.78, P Conclusions: Long-term tennis participation is associated with increased bone mass, but not BMD, in the dominant arm of postmenopausal tennis players. The magnitude of the inter-arm asymmetry of postmenopausal tennis players is proportional to the length of tennis participation.