Associations between nutrition, energy expenditure and energy availability with bone mass acquisition in dance students: a 3-year longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose To determine whether risk factors normally associated with low bone mass in athletic populations (i.e. nutrition intake, energy expenditure and energy availability) are significant predictors of bone mass changes in vocational dance students. MethodsThe total of 101 vocational dancers (63 females, 12.8±2.2yrs; 38 males, 12.7±2.2yrs) and 118 age-matched controls (50 females, 13.0±2.1yrs; 68 males, 13.0±1.8yrs) were monitored for three consecutive years. Bone mass parameters were measured annually at impact sites (femoral neck -FN; lumber spine -LS) and nonimpact site (forearm) using DXA. Nutrition (3-day record), energy expenditure (accelerometer), energy availability and IGF-1 serum concentration (immunoradiometric assays) were also assessed. ResultsFemale and male vocational dancers had consistently reduced bone mass at all anatomical sites (p<0.001) than controls. IGF-1 did not differ between male vocational dancers and controls, but female dancers showed it higher than controls. At baseline, calcium intake was significantly greater in female vocational dancers than controls (p<0.05). Male vocational dancers' fat and carbohydrate intakes were significantly lower than matched controls (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Energy availability of both female and male vocational dancers was within the normal range.A significant group effect was found at the FN regarding energy intake (p<0.05) in female dancers. No significant predictors were found to explain bone mass differences in males. ConclusionOur 3-years study revealed that both female and male vocational dancers displayed lower bone mass compared to controls, at both impact and non-impact sites.The aetiology of these findings may be grounded on factors different than those usually considered in athletic populations.

Relationship of Extrinsic Risk Factors to Lower Extremity Injury in Collegiate Ballet Dancers

“…We expected that the age of starting ballet training might be a predictor because strenuous ballet training received at an earlier age may have a negative effect on the peak bone mass accumulation and bone mass density ( Amorim et al, 2021 ). A study ( Munoz et al, 2004 ) showed that the menarche delay of young female ballet dancers was positively correlated with years of dance before puberty.…”

“…So, the effects of age onset may not be as important for lower extremity injury. Previous findings suggested that strenuous training received at an earlier age for young athletes would influence bone development and biomechanical properties of the bone and that might put young athletes at the risk of overuse injuries ( Munoz et al, 2004 ; Amorim et al, 2021 ). Future studies on the association between young ballet dancers or the age starting to dance ballet and injury rate are necessary.…”