Is low frequency and volume sports training beneficial to bone density in female adolescents

Summary Objectives Investigate if low frequency sports practice has beneficial effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent females. Equipment and Methods This cross-sectional study recruited girls between 13 and 17 years old from two schools in Brazil. Participants in the control group could not be involved in any regular physical activity in the preceding six months, except for regular physical education (PE) classes. Participants in the sports activity group (SA) were recruited from the volleyball, basketball and handball teams of the selected schools, and were engaged in exercise training twice a week (3.1 ± 0.2 hours/week), and should be involved in sports activity for the past six months. Bone mineral density was assessed by Dual Emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using pediatrics software. Results Control ( n  = 25) and SA ( n  = 27) groups were similar regarding age, anthropometry and calcium intake. BMD was 5.3% to 9.1% higher in girls from SA in comparison to control group in upper limbs, lower limbs, trochanteric region, total body and the total body without head. There was no BMD difference between groups for hip and lumbar spine. Conclusion Engagement in low frequency and volume sport practice, may provide beneficial effects for bone health among adolescent females.