Self-reported Resistance Training Is Associated With Better HR-pQCT–derived Bone Microarchitecture in Vegan People

Abstract

Context Plant-based lifestyle is a global trend, lower bone mineral density and increased fracture risk in vegan people are reported. Objective Primary objective: To assess trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture in vegans and omnivores. Secondary objectives: To evaluate relationships between bone microarchitecture, nutrition parameters and physical activity. Design Observational study Setting Medical Department II, St. Vincent Hospital (Tertiary referral center for gastrointestinal, metabolic and bone diseases, and Teaching hospital of the Medical University of Vienna) Participants 43 healthy non-obese female and male subjects on a plant-based diet for at least five years; 45 healthy non-obese female and male subjects on an omnivore diet for at least five years. Main outcome measures Parameters of trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture (high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography), serum markers of bone turnover, nutrients intake (nutrition protocol), self-reported resistance training (physical activity questionnaires). Results In the vegan group, trabecular and cortical structure was altered, compared to omnivores. Vegans not reporting resistance training had diminished bone microarchitecture, compared to omnivores not reporting resistance training. In vegans and omnivores reporting resistance training, bone structure was similar. In both vegan subgroups (resistance training and not resistance training), a small number of correlations between nutrients intake and bone microarchitecture were without conclusive pattern were observed. Conclusions Bone microarchitecture in vegans differed from matched omnivores but could not be explained solely by nutrients uptake. These differences were attenuated between the subgroups reporting resistance training. In addition to a well-planned diet, progressive resistance training on a regular basis should be part of the vegan lifestyle.

Popular Dietary Trends’ Impact on Athletic Performance: A Critical Analysis Review

“…These deficiencies can manifest as fatigue and poor injury healing, which would all drastically impact athletic performance, recovery, and overall bone health. A recent study showed that vegan athletes had poorer bone quality compared to omnivores and had decreased benefit in bone quality from resistance training than omnivores as well [ 78 ]. While this study has not been further studied in additional athlete specific populations, this reflects a similar trend in a systematic review studying the general female population [ 79 ].…”

Bone health: biology and nutrition

“…Compared with omnivores, peripheral skeleton trabecular and cortical microstructure were altered in vegan people [ 16 ]. The differences were attenuated in the subgroup reporting regular resistance training.…”

Research

“…Into the argument has entered a group from Vienna (Austria), who used high-resolution CT to examine bone microarchitecture and correlated this with dietary choices. 6…”

“…Into the argument has entered a group from Vienna (Austria) , who used high-resolution CT to examine bone microarchitecture and correlated this with dietary choices. 6 Studying 43 vegans and 45 omnivores, the team found that vegans who did not carry out resistance training showed reduced trabecular and cortical density when compared to non-training omnivores, although this relationship was not present in cohorts who conducted resistance training. No other meaningful correlations were identified.…”