Men's Osteoporosis Support Group

Professional cycling and bone density

Int J Sports Med. 2010 Apr 29. [Epub ahead of print]. Bone Status in Professional Cyclists. Campion F and others. PMID: 20432201. This study compared the bone mineral density (BMD) of 30 professional cyclists with a mean age of 29.1 years to reference healthy young males that didn't cycle. The cyclists had lower BMD in all areas except the head, including 18% lower BMD in the femoral neck, a frequent hip fracture site.

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2009 Mar;49(1):44-53. Low bone mineral density and calcium intake in elite cyclists. Medelli J and others. PMID: 19188895. This study compared bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in 73 highly trained (42 professional and 31 elite amateur) road cyclists (CYCLIST) with a mean age of 25.8 year to a reference (REF) group of non-cyclists. They also checked to see if calcium intake was related to bone mineral factors. The CYCLIST had higher calcium intake but lower BMD and BMC in the spine and femoral neck compared to REF. The authors concluded: "There was no difference between medium Ca and high Ca for any BMC or BMD parameters. Differences between low Ca and high Ca could be detected only for Total BMC (-8.4%; P=0.01), Pelvis BMD (-7.4%; P=0.01) and femoral neck BMD (-9.9%; P=0.006)."

Editor's comments. These studies show that elite cyclists, all their high intensity exercise notwithstanding, have lower bone density that similar individuals who aren't cyclists. Thus reinforcing the need for weight-bearing exercise to increase bone density. These studies, of course, don't evaluate fracture risk, so nothing can be said on that topic. One could assume that the lower bone density might be more than compensated by the greatly increased muscle strength these athletes have. That is, however, for another study to determine. It might also be that cyclists should vary their physical activity to include some intense weight-bearing exercise (jogging, hiking or similar activity) several times per week to avoid the loss of BMD that occurs when only cycling.

The Medelli and others study also indicates that taking very low amounts of calcium via diet or supplements can cause lower BMC and BMD in certain bones. Thus calcium intake for cyclists should be approximately 1 gm/day to avoid being in the group with the lowest bone density.

Return to Home