Bone Health Parameters in Young Adult Female Handball Players

The main aim of this study was to compare bone health parameters (bone mineral content [BMC], bone mineral density [BMD], geometric indices of femoral neck [FN] strength (cross-sectional area [CSA], cross-sectional moment of inertia [CSMI], section modulus [Z], buckling ratio [BR] and strength index [SI]) and composite indices of FN strength (compression strength index [CSI], bending strength index [BSI], and impact strength index [ISI])) in young adult inactive women (n = 18) and young adult female handball players (n = 20). The participants of the study were 38 young adult women; their ages ranged from 20 to 32 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to evaluate body composition, BMC, BMD and geometric indices of FN strength. BMD measurements were completed for the whole body (WB), the lumbar spine (L1–L4), the total hip (TH) and the femoral neck (FN). Composite indices of femoral neck (FN) strength (CSI, BSI, and ISI) were calculated. Validated tests were used to evaluate maximal bench-press strength, maximal half-squat strength, maximal deadlift strength, vertical jump, horizontal jump, sprinting performance and maximal aerobic velocity. Validated questionnaires were used to evaluate sleep quality, daily protein and calcium intakes and physical activity level. Lean mass, WB BMC, WB BMD, L1–L4 BMD, TH BMD, FN BMD, CSMI, Z, physical activity level, daily protein intake, daily calcium intake, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press, 1-RM half-squat and 1-RM deadlift were significantly higher in female handball players compared to inactive women. In conclusion, the present study suggests that handball practice is associated with better bone health parameters in young adult women.