Impact of artistic gymnastics and ballet on bone health parameters of female adolescents: ABCD - Growth Study

Abstract

The high prevalence of osteoporosis in women (one in three) has caused concern in several areas of health, which has sought to understand mechanisms to prevent this phenomenon, especially in childhood and adolescence, in this sense gymnastics and ballet appear as a protective alternative, however, there are still gaps in the literature on the effect of both on the bone health of girls, mainly because the articles have a cross-sectional design, not involving relevant bone parameters such as geometry and blood markers of bone formation and remodeling and do not compare both modalities. Objective: To identify the impact of artistic gymnastics and ballet on parameters of remodeling, geometry and bone density of female adolescents. Methods: A longitudinal study with twelve months of follow-up (two moments of data collection) that will be conducted in the city of Presidente Prudente. The sample will be composed of at least 36 female youth, classified as: Control (n = 12), Artistic Gymnastics (n = 12), Ballet (n = 12). Bone mineral density, muscle mass and adipose tissue will be estimated by means of the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the i) lower limbs, ii) upper limbs, iii) the total body, iv) the right femur, and v) the lumbar spine. Blood lipid profile, insulin, glycemia, C-reactive protein (ultra-sensitive), osteocalcin, growth hormone (GH) and Vitamin D will be collected by means of blood analysis. Expected Results: We hope to identify possible benefits from gymnastics and ballet on the bone and metabolic health of young females. (AU)