Comparison of Bone Mineral Density in Lumbar Spine between Athletic and Non-Athletic Premenopausal Women

Background & Aims: The purpose of the present research was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine between athletic and non-athletic premenopausal women. Methods: Fifteen female athletes (runner) with the mean age of 33.80 ± 4.81 years, mean height of 164.13 ± 5.31 cm, mean weight of 57.33 ± 4.22 kg, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.41 ± 2.21 kg/m2 and 15 female non-athletes with yhe mean age of 36.73 ± 5.02 years, mean height of 161.20 ± 4.17 cm, mean weight of 68.00 ± 10.67 kg, and mean BMI of 26.78 ± 4.34 kg/m2 at the premenopausal age (30-45 years) were participated. The BMD of lumbar spines were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The collected data were analyzed through t-test statistical methods. Results: Based on T-score and Z-score criteria, all of athletes had normal bone tissue while, 13.3 percent of non-athletes were osteopenic. Moreover, the BMD of lumbar in athletes was significantly more than nonathletes. Furthermore, in the lumbar spine region, significant differences observed between the T-score and Z-score values for both athletes and non athletes. Conclusion: It seems likely that running can increase the BMD of lumbar in premenopausal women; therefore, it can play an important role in preventing osteoporosis as an effective non-medicine method.