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Unique effects of energy versus estrogen deficiency on multiple components of bone strength in exercising women

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Abstract

Summary

Many female athletes are energy and/or estrogen deficient, but the independent effects on bone health have not been isolated. Energy deficiency was detrimental at the tibia while estrogen deficiency was detrimental at the radius. Nutrition must be considered alongside menstrual recovery when addressing compromised bone health in female athletes.

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to describe volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone geometry, and estimated bone strength in exercising women (n = 60) grouped according to energy status (energy replete (EnR: n = 30) vs. energy deficient (EnD: n = 30)) and estrogen status (estrogen replete (E2R: n = 33) vs. estrogen deficient (E2D: n = 27)), resulting in four distinct groups: EnR + E2R (n = 17), EnR + E2D (n = 13), EnD + E2R (n = 16), EnD + E2D (n = 14).

Methods

Energy status was determined using the ratio of measured to predicted resting energy expenditure (mREE/pREE). Estrogen status was based on self-reported menstrual status confirmed by daily evaluation of urinary estrone-1-glucoronide (E1G), pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Eumenorrheic women were considered E2R, amenorrheic women were E2D, and oligomenorrheic women were categorized based on history of menses in the past year. Bone was assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).

Results

EnD women exhibited lower total vBMD, trabecular vBMD, cortical area, and BSI at the distal tibia and lower total vBMD, smaller cortical area and cortical thickness, and larger endosteal circumference at the proximal tibia compared to EnR women (p < 0.042). E2D women had lower total and cortical vBMD, larger total and trabecular area, and lower BSI at the distal radius and lower cortical vBMD at the proximal radius compared to E2R women (p < 0.023). Energy and estrogen interacted to affect total and trabecular area at the distal tibia (p < 0.021).

Conclusions

Efforts to correct energy deficiency, which in turn may promote reproductive health, are warranted in order to address the unique contributions of energy status versus estrogen status to bone health.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command (Grant#: PR054531).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Women’s Health and Exercise Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA

    E. A. Southmayd, R. J. Mallinson, N. I. Williams & M. J. De Souza

  2. School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ, 08205, USA

    D. J. Mallinson

Authors
  1. E. A. Southmayd
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  2. R. J. Mallinson
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  3. N. I. Williams
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  4. D. J. Mallinson
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  5. M. J. De Souza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. A. Southmayd.

Ethics declarations

Both studies were approved by the Biomedical Institutional Review Board at Penn State University. Study volunteers were informed of the purpose, procedures, and potential risks and benefits of participation, and signed consent was obtained.

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Southmayd, E.A., Mallinson, R.J., Williams, N.I. et al. Unique effects of energy versus estrogen deficiency on multiple components of bone strength in exercising women. Osteoporos Int 28, 1365–1376 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3887-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3887-x

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