CORRELATIONS OF THE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND THE BONE DENSITY IN YOUNG ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

The aim of this study was to explore the nature of relationships between lower limb muscle strength and bone density parameters in a group of young athletes and non-athletes, aged 17-18. Athletes that were divided into three experimental groups (EG1, EG2, and EG3) underwent a nine-month long resistance training program of low, medium and high level of external loads, respectively. Non-athletes made up the control group (CS). We hypothesized that muscle strength would significantly correlate to bone mineral density (BMD), in a positive and an increasing way in EG1, EG2, and EG3 participants, respectively, and that these correlations will be greater in relation to correlations determined within the control group of non-athletes. Mean jump HEIGHT values, as one of the most significant indicators of explosive strength, as well as mean POWER, FORCE and VELOCITY values, decreased at the end of resistance program in EG1, EG2, and EG3 participants. On the other hand, mean HS1RM values increased at the end of resistance program in ES participants, as well as bone density parameters in all the participants. At the same time, mean POWER, FORCE and VELOCITY values, increased at the final assessment, while mean HS1RM value decreased in CS participants. No correlation between HEIGHT and HS1RM on the one hand, and bone density at the other was determined in the entire sample. Correlations occurred only in EG1 (60%1RM) and EG3 (85%1RM) participants, as positive and negative correlations, respectively, and they were more frequent at the initial assessment, i.e. most of them disappeared at the final assessment