Comparison of biometric measurement values of ossa antebrachii in weightlifters and sedentary individuals

This study aims to investigate the biometric effects of weightlifting on antebrachium. Study group was composed of 9 adult male weightlifters and 9 sedentary male individuals between the ages of 20-25. Body weight and height of participants were measured. Left arm radius distal terminus bone mineral density (BMD) was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method and recorded as gr/cm2.  Two dimensional (2D) images of right and left antebrachium bones were obtained through multi detector computed tomography (MDCT). 2D images were converted to 3D images with the help of Mimics-13.1 software program and bone volume, length and thickness were measured with the same programme. Weightlifters’ radius distal terminus bone mineral density (BMD) was recorded to be higher compared to data obtained from sedentary individuals. Taken as a whole, results of this study presented high values in weightlifters’ ossa antebrachii mass. This magnitude was identified to be in bone width instead of bone length and distributed in the periosteal direction. High values in the radius and ulna bone volumes, radius cortex thickness and BMD values of the radius distal terminus can be regarded as indicators of bone quality and strength. Existence of numerical value differences especially in sedentary individuals in the comparison of data for right forearm and left forearm mass may be related to the fact that right hand is more dominant in daily life and effects of working with heavy loads may decrease this effect in weightlifters.