Bone Health Boost: Multidirectional Sports in Youth May Benefit Female Runners

This study by?Warden et al (2022)?investigated whether participating in multidirectional sports (MDS) during youth influences bone health in female collegiate cross-country runners. Bone stress injuries (BSIs) are a common concern for these athletes, and stronger bones could potentially reduce their risk.

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The investigation:

• Female collegiate runners were divided into two groups:
• ?RUN:?Trained/competed only in cross-country, running/jogging, swimming, or cycling.
• ?RUN+MDS: Had an additional history of playing soccer or basketball when younger (history of training and/or competing in either soccer or basketball twice or more per week for at least 6 months per year for ≥5 years beginning prior to 10 years of age).
• Researchers used high-resolution CT to examine bone properties at various locations in both legs and arms.
• Key areas in the legs were tibia/fibula, metatarsals and navicular
• The radius bone of the arm served as a reference point.

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The findings:

• ?Stronger bones in RUN+MDS:
• Compared to the RUN group, runners with a history of MDS in their youth displayed:
• Stronger and thicker Tibia cortex and more internal bone (trabeculae).
• Larger and stronger Fibula.
• Larger and stronger second Metatarsal (MT) bone.
• Improved bone properties at high-risk BSI sites in the foot (base of the 2nd MT, Navicular and proximal diaphysis of the 5th MT)
• The strength enhancements ranged from an average of 11.1% at the Fibula diaphysis to 19.5% at the distal Tibia

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The takeaway:

This study suggests that playing multidirectional sports like soccer or basketball when young (before and across their pubertal growth period) may contribute to stronger bones later in life for female runners. This could potentially help to reduce their risk of developing BSIs. The researchers recommend that young athletes delay specialising in just one sport (like running) and consider including MDS in their training to promote bone health.

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Important to note:

• This study only looked at female athletes.
• The design doesn't prove cause-and-effect, just an association.
• The study involved a relatively small group of participants.

Want to take a deep dive into this paper? Read the full text paper?here

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