Bone Health Status, Muscular Strength and Power, and Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacities of Malaysian Male Athletes Involved in Sports with Different Mechanical Loading on Bones

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is beneficial for bone health. Bones respond and adapt to applied loads that can vary among physical activity. This study investigated differences in bone health status, muscular performance, and aerobic and anaerobic capacities of young male Malaysian athletes competing at the state level. METHODS: A total of 44 participants (age: 17.1 ± 1.6 years old) were randomly divided into sedentary control, weightlifting, cycling or squash groups. The bone speed of sound (SOS), muscular performance, maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and anaerobic capacities of the participants were measured. RESULTS: All athletes exhibited significantly higher tibial and radial bone SOS (P < 0.01) values than the sedentary group. Weightlifting athletes showed the highest radial bone SOS value in the arm, whereas cycling athletes exhibited the highest tibial bone SOS value in the leg among the groups. Weightlifting athletes also had significantly higher isokinetic knee extension, shoulder extension and shoulder flexion peak torque (PT) and average power (AVG.P) (P < 0.05) as well as significantly greater anaerobic peak power (P < 0.05) compared to cyclists and squash players. However, the aerobic capacity of cyclists and squash players was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the weightlifters. The cyclists had significantly higher anaerobic capacity and power (P < 0.001) than weightlifters and squash players. CONCLUSION: The findings imply that the bone health and physiological profiles of athletes are influenced by the type of sporting activity they undertake.