Muscle strength of the upper limbs & biological maturation: associations with bone mass in adolescent athletes of both sexes

The present study aimed to analyze the association between upper and lower limb muscle strength and biological maturation on bone mass in adolescent athletes and non-athletes of both sexes. The sample consisted of 105 adolescent men and women, 61% athletes and 39% non-athletes. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were analyzed using dual energy X-ray bone densitometry. Strength of upper limbs (ULS), force handgrip (HG), vertical jump (VJ) and jump against movement (CMJ) were analyzed. Somatic maturation was verified using anthropometry. The strength of the upper limbs showed a high effect size on the bone mass of adolescent athletes of both sexes (Male: f(2) > 3.40; Female: f(2) > 3.30). Similar results were found for the group of non-athletes (Male: f(2) > 3.30; Female: f(2) > 2.20). Maturation showed a relevant effect size on bone mass in all groups (f(2) > 0.30). The strength of the upper limbs showed a high correlation with the bone mass of adolescent male non-athletes (BMD (ULS: r = 0.52; p =0.01; HG: r = 0.63; p = 0.001); BMC (ULS: r = 0.52; p = 0.01; HG: r = 0.60; p = 0.001). Maturation correlated with bone mass in adolescent non-athletes of both sexes (p < 0.05). It was possible to conclude that the maturation and muscular strength of the upper limbs, as well as that of the lower limbs, point to a significant association with the bone mass of adolescents athletes and non-athletes of both sexes.