International orthopedic groups have declared 2000-2010 the Bone and Joint Decade in the medical community. An area of bone health of particular relevance to athletics is the cause and prevention of osteoporosis. College athletes are at risk for significant injury if bone mineral density values are less than optimal. Although it is well documented that exercise – particularly weight-bearing exercise – has a positive effect on bone mineral density, it is unclear whether alcohol consumption influences bone mineral density in physically active individuals.
The purpose of this study is to investigate how the amount of alcohol and the alcohol preference impacts bone mineral density in intercollegiate athletes. Specifically, this research will determine if a relationship exists between alcohol consumption patterns and bone mineral density (Ward’s Triangle and Lumbar Spine) in intercollegiate athletes and determine if there is a relationship between the type of alcohol consumed by the intercollegiate athlete and bone mineral density at Ward’s Triangle and in the lumbar spine.
Descriptive statistics are provided for each measurement. Following consent, the procedure - as approved by the Kent State University Institutional Review Board – consisted of the student completing an anonymous survey regarding drinking patterns, a urine pregnancy test (if female), and a physician ordered dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. The DXA scan assessed bone mineral density at Ward’s Triangle (hip) and the lumbar spine, which is reported in a t-score, which standardizes bone mineral density for age and gender. Pearson correlations were utilized to compare the groups. Multiple analyses of variance evaluated the differences among the variables.
Twenty-one intercollegiate athletes (14 male/7 female), aged 20 – 23 were tested. Sixty two percent reported an average weekly alcohol consumption of 4 or less drinks. Twenty eight percent reported drinking 5 or more drinks per sitting less than 2 times in the last six-month period. Bone mineral density averaged .97 for lumbar spine and 2.0 for Ward’s Triangle. The type of alcohol consumed does not appear to change the t-score values. Significant positive correlations (p=.05) were found between the frequency of self-reported binge drinking over the past six months and the t-scores for Ward’s Triangle. Average alcohol consumption and t-scores at Ward’s also resulted in a positive correlation. Although this pilot study reflects interesting trends, the results should be interpreted with caution until a full population is tested due to the numerous factors affecting bone mineral density.