BONE MİNERAL DENSİTY AND BONE MİNERAL CONTENT IN FEMALE ELİTE MASTERS ATHLETES

Introduction and Purpose: Low bone mineral density is a major risk factor for osteoporosis. The most important factors related to bone mineralization and bone mass acquisition are endocrine and mechanical factors, such as habitual physical active life. The present study aims to evaluate forearm bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2 ) in female elite masters athletes and also evaluate the effect of long-term exercise with different osteogenic index, dietary patterns, body composition, and biological factors on BMD. Materials and Methods: The study included 199 females aged 57.6 ± 11.2 years, athletes in the masters category, and participants at the European and the World Masters Athletics Championship. All women studied were of the same ethnic origin (Caucasian). BMD and T-score in two ROIs: the distal (dis) and proximal (prox) parts of the forearm were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Swissray-USA, Norland Medical Systems, Madison, WI). Biological factors such as the age of menarche status of menopause and past fractures were rated based on face-to-face interviews. Usual dietary intake and dietary patterns was assessed at the face-to-face interview with the use of a semiquantitative NHANES Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).