Relationship between muscular fitness and bone health in young baseball players

• Published in: European journal of translational myology 2021-03, Vol.31 (1)
• Main Authors: Montenegro Barreto, Jesus, Vidal-Espinoza, Ruben, Gomez Campos, Rossana, De Arruda, Miguel, Urzua Alul, Luis, Sulla-Torres, Jose, Cossio-Bolaños, Marco, Mendez-Cornejo, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: baseball; bone health; Muscle fitness; youth
• ISSN: 2037-7452; 2037-7460
• DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2021.9642

The physical actions developed by baseball players can increase muscular fitness, and consequently improve bone health. The objective was to relate some indicators of muscular fitness to bone health in young baseball players. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 102 children and adolescent baseball players of the Brazilian National Team. The age range ranged from 9.0 to 15.0 years, the average chronological age was 12.2±2.2 years and the maturity status was 14.8±0.5 APHV (age at peak height velocity). Anthropometry, body composition [% fat, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM)], physical tests [horizontal jump (HJ) and medicine ball throw (MBT)] bone health was estimated by anthropometry [bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC)]. There was positive and significant correlation between bone health with FFM (r2= 89%) and with muscle strength tests (HJ and MBT) (R2= 55 to 75%). Young baseball players classified with low bone health level, reflected decreased values of FFM, HJ and MBT, in relation to young players classified with moderate and high bone health level (p