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British Journal of Sports Medicine logoLink to British Journal of Sports Medicine
. 1995 Jun;29(2):85–88. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.29.2.85

Effect of exercise training programme on bone mineral density in novice college rowers.

B Cohen 1, P J Millett 1, B Mist 1, M A Laskey 1, N Rushton 1
PMCID: PMC1332285  PMID: 7551766

Abstract

Exercise has important effects on skeletal mineralization. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were investigated in a group of 17 male novice college oarsmen over a 7-month period and were compared with eight age-matched controls. The rowing training programme consisted of approximately 8 h rowing, 1 h weight training, and 1 h running per week. After 7 months training the mean BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) had increased significantly by 2.9% (P < 0.001) and the mean BMC had increased by 4.2% (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in the control group. Neither group showed a significant change in BMD or BMC in the femoral neck, greater trochanter or Ward's triangle. This study provides further evidence that exercise plays an important role in bone mineral formation.

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Selected References

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