Bone Turnover Markers and Osteokines in Adolescent Female Athletes of High- and Low-Impact Sports Compared With Nonathletic Controls

Abstract

This study examined differences in resting concentrations of markers of bone formation and resorption, and osteokines between female adolescent (12–16 y) swimmers, soccer players, and nonathletic controls. Resting, morning blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast from 20 swimmers, 20 soccer players, and 20 nonathletic controls, matched for age. carboxyl-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), total osteocalcin (OC), sclerostin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were analyzed in serum. After controlling for percent body fat, there were no significant differences between swimmers and nonathletic controls in any of the measured markers. In contrast, soccer players had significantly higher P1NP (89.5 [25.6] ng·mL−1), OC (57.6 [22.9] ng·mL−1), and OPG (1052.5 [612.6] pg·mL−1) compared with both swimmers (P1NP: 66.5 [20.9] ng·mL−1; OC: 24.9 [12.5] ng·mL−1; OPG: 275.2 [83.8] pg·mL−1) and controls (P1NP: 58.5 [16.2] ng·mL−1; OC: 23.2 [11.9] ng·mL−1; OPG: 265.4 [97.6] pg·mL−1), with no differences in CTX, sclerostin, and RANKL. These results suggest that bone formation is higher in adolescent females engaged in high-impact sports like soccer compared with swimmers and controls.