Nutritional factors of bone health in athletes
AbstractThe importance of proper nutrition when playing sports is difficult to overestimate. Athletes of any age need to consume a sufficient amount of macro- and micronutrients for bone health. High-quality and balanced nutrition in terms of quantity and composition is important for optimal recovery after training, adaptation to intense physical activity and prevention of sports injuries.
The aim of the study was to summarize the current data of domestic and foreign literature on the factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in athletes, as well as to consider the key points of nutritional support necessary for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Material and methods. The search was conducted using the Google Academy search engine and electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, eLIBRARY for the period from 2008 to 2022. For the search, we used keywords and their combinations: “athletes”, “osteoporosis”, “stress fractures”, “calcium” and “vitamin D”.
Results and discussion. Bone health is influenced by many factors, the most significant of which are lifestyle and the nature of a person’s physical activity. Despite strong evidence for the benefits of exercise for bone health, there are sports that predispose to low BMD and increase the risk of osteoporosis. First of all, athletes involved in aerobic and aesthetic disciplines (long-distance running, cycling, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, dancing, etc.) are at risk. In addition, factors that predispose to a decrease in BMD include female gender, low intake of energy substrates, protein, vitamin D and calcium, and certain medications. Of great importance for the regulation of bone metabolism and maintaining optimal BMD are the genetic characteristics of the athlete. The main adverse consequences for athletes with reduced BMD are fractures of various localization. At the same time, the problem of a high risk of developing stress injuries of bones is especially relevant. Calcium and vitamin D are key nutritional factors needed to maintain bone health. Optimal intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids is also important. There is evidence of a positive effect on the skeletal system of such nutritional factors as potassium, magnesium, sodium, vitamins K, C, B12 and folic acid. The specific mechanisms of the influence of these micronutrients on bone metabolism and the relationship of their consumption level with BMD need further research.
Conclusion. Thus, athletes of all ages and specializations need to pay great attention to the state of the skeletal system. Given the association between the risk of osteoporosis and malnutrition, it is essential for athletes to maintain an optimal nutritional status and consume adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Keywords:athletes; osteoporosis, stress fractures; nutrient; micronutrient; calcium; vitamin D
Funding. The study was not sponsored.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Contribution of the authors. Concept and design of the study – Samoilov A.S.; data collection – Rylova N.V., Zholinsky A.V., Bolshakov I.V.; writing the text – Rylova N.V., Bolshakov I.V.; editing, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article – all authors.
For citation: Samoilov A.S., Zholinsky A.V., Rylova N.V., Bolshakov I.V. Nutritional factors of bone health in athletes. Voprosy pitaniia [Problems of Nutrition]. 2023; 92 (3): 25–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33029/0042-8833-2023-92-3-25-35 (in Russian)
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