Effects of 12 weeks of endurance training on bone mineral content and bone mineral density in obese, overweight and normal weight adolescent girls

Introduction. - It is unclear whether the body mass index can influence the bone adaptation to endurance training program. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of 12 weeks of endurance training (running, aerobics games, and team sports) on bone mineral content and bone mineral density in obese, overweight and normal weight adolescent girls. Methods and results. - The bone mineral density and bone mineral content were measured by DEXA (leg, pelvis, subtotal body and total body) before and after 12 weeks of endurance training. Bone mineral content and density values were not different between the three groups (obese, overweight and normal weight) before training. Total body mineral content increased in obese group and total body bone mineral density increased in all groups. Conclusion. - Short-term endurance training increases total body bone mineral density in adolescent girls. Short-term endurance training positive effects on total body bone mineral content were detectable only in obese group. This study reinforces the idea that endurance training also known to improve metabolism, must be recommended to obese people. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.