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01-03-2018 | Review

Soccer helps build strong bones during growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Gabriel Lozano-Berges, Ángel Matute-Llorente, Alejandro González-Agüero, Alejandro Gómez-Bruton, Alba Gómez-Cabello, Germán Vicente-Rodríguez, José A. Casajús

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of soccer practice on bone in male and female children and adolescents. MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases were searched for scientific articles published up to and including October 2016. Twenty-seven studies were included in this systematic review (13 in the meta-analysis). The meta-analysis was performed by using OpenMeta[Analyst] software. It is well documented that soccer practice during childhood provides positive effects on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) compared to sedentary behaviors and other sports, such as tennis, weightlifting, or swimming. Furthermore, soccer players present higher BMC and BMD in most weight-bearing sites such as the whole body, lumbar spine, hip, and legs. Moreover, bone differences were minimized between groups during prepuberty. Therefore, the maturity status should be considered when evaluating bone. According to meta-analysis results, soccer practice was positively associated with whole-body BMD either in males (mean difference 0.061; 95%CI, 0.042–0.079) or in females (mean difference 0.063; 95%CI, 0.026–0.099).

Conclusion: Soccer may be considered a sport that positively affects bone mass during growth. Pubertal soccer players presented increased bone mass compared to controls or other athletes; however, these bone differences are minimized during the prepubertal stage.

What is known:

• It has been described that childhood and adolescence are important periods for bone mass and structure.

• Previous studies have demonstrated that soccer participation improves bone mass in male and female children and adolescents.

What is new:

• The differences between soccer players and controls are more marked during puberty than prepuberty.

• Weight-bearing sites such as lumbar spine, hip, femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanteric region and both legs are particularly sensitive to soccer actions.

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Title: Soccer helps build strong bones during growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gabriel Lozano-Berges
Ángel Matute-Llorente
Alejandro González-Agüero
Alejandro Gómez-Bruton
Alba Gómez-Cabello
Germán Vicente-Rodríguez
José A. Casajús
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-017-3060-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Soccer helps build strong bones during growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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