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Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(02): 90-96
DOI: 10.1055/a-2445-9582
Training & Testing

Muscle-to-bone and soft tissue-to-bone ratios in track and field athletes

Hannah Westerberg
1   Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN5635)
,
Philip R. Stanforth
2   Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
,
Aaron Carbuhn
3   Kansas Athletics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN4202)
,
Tyler Bosch
4   Red Bull, Performance and Data Analytics, Athlete Performance Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
,
Donald R Dengel
5   Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle-to-bone (MBR) and soft tissue-to-bone ratios (SBR) of 459 track and field athletes across event groups to identify differences in MBR and SBR. Dual X-ray absorptiometry provided total and regional (i.e., arm, leg, trunk) lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), and bone mineral content (BMC). MBR was calculated by dividing LM by BMC. The SBR was calculated by dividing LM+FM by BMC. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare ratios across event groups. Dunn’s post-hoc tests were utilized to adjust for multiple comparisons. Total MBR for females was higher in the throwers compared to the multievent athletes (p=0.02). For the males, total MBR was lower in jumpers compared to all events except pole vaulters (PV) (p<0.05). Trunk MBR was higher in the long-distance runners (LD) compared to jumpers, PV, and throwers (p<0.05). The throwers had higher total, arm, and leg SBRs compared to the jumpers, LD, middle distance, PV, and sprint groups (p<0.05). Significant differences in total and regional MBR and SBR were identified across event groups for both sexes, and may indicate event-specific adaptations impacting the balance between soft tissue and bone.

Keywords

bone health - body composition - athletics - injury risk


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 25. Juli 2024

Angenommen: 07. Oktober 2024

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
04. Februar 2025

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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