Impact of swimming at competitive level on bone mineral density of adolescents

Author(s)

Ricardo Ribeiro Agostinete

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Presidente Prudente. 2022-09-01.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia. Presidente Prudente
• Defense date: 2022-07-22
• Advisor: Romulo Araújo Fernandes; Dimitris Vlachopoulos

Abstract

This thesis aimed to analyze the effect of swimming on bone mineral density transversally and longitudinally, besides to assess for the first time the possible nonosteogenic pathways of swimming on bone mineral density of adolescents. Secondly, the objective was to analyze the influence of resistance training participation in bone mineral density accrual of adolescent swimmers. The sample was composed by 625 adolescents of swimming, impact sports and non-sport group following the inclusion criteria. Specific methods were applied to measure dependent, independent, mediating, and confounding variables. Statistical analyses were composed by generalized Estimating Equation model (GEE), Analysis of Variance – ANOVA, ANOVA- repeated measures, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and mediation analyses, considering significance level was set at P < 0.05. The finding in the Chapter 4 indicates that swimmers presented lower aBMD and BMAD compared with sports of different mechanical load and non-sport group in the most body sites, although having high lean soft tissue. Chapter 5 indicates that longitudinally (18- months) swimmers had similar and lower aBMD and BMAD compared with the control group depending on the body site. While Chapter 6 shows that swimmers with high training volume did not present lower moderate-vigorous physical activity or high sedentary behavior compared with a non-sport group. Chapter 7 presents that swimmers did not show differences in markers of bone and inflammatory metabolism compared with a non-sport group and despite training load being negatively associated with aBMD, inflammatory markers do not mediate this association. Lastly, Chapter 8 indicates that engagement in resistance training seems to improve aBMD accrual at upper limbs and WBLH in swimmers, thus it could be considered as strategy to prevent the non-osteogenic effect of swimming. Thus, this thesis presents innovative aspects in the literature on the effect of swimming on bone health compared to impact sports and non-sport group, as well as the analysis of possible non-osteogenic pathways and the combined effect of swimming and resistance training on aBMD accrual. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/09182-5 - Impact of aquatic sport participation on markers of bone turnover among adolescents: ABCD - growth study
• Grantee: Ricardo Ribeiro Agostinete
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate