Enhanced Bone Size, Microarchitecture, and Strength in Female Runners with a History of Playing Multidirectional Sports

PurposeFemale runners have high rates of bone stress injuries (BSIs), including stress reactions and fractures. The current study explored multidirectional sports (MDS) played when younger as a potential means of building stronger bones to reduce BSI risk in these athletes.MethodsFemale collegiate-level cross-country runners were recruited into groups: 1) RUN, history of training and/or competing in cross-country, recreational running/jogging, swimming, and/or cycling only, and 2) RUN + MDS, additional history of training and/or competing in soccer or basketball. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to assess the distal tibia, common BSI sites (diaphysis of the tibia, fibula, and second metatarsal), and high-risk BSI sites (base of the second metatarsal, navicular, and proximal diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal). Scans of the radius were used as control sites.ResultsAt the distal tibia, RUN + MDS (n = 18) had enhanced cortical area (+17.1%) and thickness (+15.8%), and greater trabecular bone volume fraction (+14.6%) and thickness (+8.3%) compared with RUN (n = 14; all P < 0.005). Failure load was 19.5% higher in RUN + MDS (P < 0.001). The fibula diaphysis in RUN + MDS had an 11.6% greater total area and a 11.1% greater failure load (all P <= 0.03). At the second metatarsal diaphysis, total area in RUN + MDS was 10.4% larger with greater cortical area and thickness and 18.6% greater failure load (all P < 0.05). RUN + MDS had greater trabecular thickness at the base of the second metatarsal and navicular and greater cortical area and thickness at the proximal diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal (all P <= 0.02). No differences were observed at the tibial diaphysis or radius.ConclusionsThese findings support recommendations that athletes delay specialization in running and play MDS when younger to build a more robust skeleton and potentially prevent BSIs.