Regular Strength and Sprint Training Counteracts Bone Aging: A 10‐Year Follow‐Up in Male Masters Athletes

Abstract

Cross‐sectional and interventional studies suggest that high‐intensity strength and impact‐type training provide a powerful osteogenic stimulus even in old age. However, longitudinal evidence on the ability of high‐intensity training to attenuate age‐related bone deterioration is currently lacking. This follow‐up study assessed the role of continued strength and sprint training on bone aging in 40‐ to 85‐year‐old male sprinters (n = 69) with a long‐term training background. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)‐derived bone structural, strength, and densitometric parameters of the distal tibia and tibia midshaft were assessed at baseline and 10 years later. The groups of well‐trained (actively competing, sprint training including strength training ≥2 times/week; n = 36) and less‐trained (<2 times/week, no strength training, switched to endurance training; n = 33) athletes were formed according to self‐reports at follow‐up. Longitudinal changes in bone traits in the two groups were examined using linear mixed models. Over the 10‐year period, group‐by‐time interactions were found for distal tibia total bone mineral content (BMC), trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and compressive strength index, and for mid‐tibia cortical cross‐sectional area, medullary area, total BMC, and BMC at the anterior and posterior sites (polar mass distribution analysis) (p < 0.05). These interactions reflected maintained (distal tibia) or improved (mid‐tibia) bone properties in the well‐trained and decreased bone properties in the less‐trained athletes over the 10‐year period. Depending on the bone variable, the difference in change in favor of the well‐trained group ranged from 2% to 5%. The greatest differences were found in distal tibia trabecular vBMD and mid‐tibia posterior BMC, which remained significant (p < 0.05) after adjustment for multiple testing. In conclusion, our longitudinal findings indicate that continued strength and sprint training is associated with maintained or even improved tibial properties in middle‐aged and older male sprint athletes, suggesting that regular, intensive exercise counteracts bone aging. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Impact of sprint training on bone health: a literature review of current evidence

“…Densiometric values derived from computer tomography at 10 years of training revealed that well-trained sprinters had better bone properties than less-trained ones (p < 0.05). The main effect was seen in lower and mid-tibial trabeculae [30].…”

“…Stimuli such as compression and fl uid shear are crucial for osteoblastic activity and the maintenance of a healthy bone mass and density [29]. Sprint-trained athletes exhibit observable structural adaptations as a thickened cortical loaded area, which is one of the reasons for effective directionspecifi c bending strength [30].…”

Effect of external mechanical stimuli on human bone: a narrative review

“…These side-specific loading adaptations were generally maintained five years later, despite decreases in average training volume [53]. Similarly, a ten-year longitudinal follow-up of male sprinters found that those who maintained a high training volume were protected against age-related decreases in tibia trabecular bone density observed in those who decreased their training volume [54].…”

Longitudinal Associations of High-Volume and Vigorous-Intensity Exercise With Hip Fracture Risk in Men

“…(56,57) In addition, some studies in middle-aged and older men indicate that the maintenance of a high osteogenic index or loading intensity, rather than total time spent in physical activities, is associated with greater skeletal benefits at the loaded sites. (58)(59)(60) Therefore, it is possible that among former athletes, even a modest amount of participation in vigorous-intensity exercise (75 minutes/week), may have been effective in counteracting age-related decline in femoral neck strength, thus reducing the probability of a hip fracture in the case of a fall. Another explanation might be that continued vigorous exercise helps to protect against fractures through other mechanisms such as preserved rapid muscle force capacity (20) and dynamic postural balance (61) that could reduce the frequency of falls and/or facilitate effective protective responses during a fall.…”