The Incidence of Osteoporosis in Wheelchair Rugby Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of the bone health on sportplayers with disabilities is essential to diagnose the presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis, taking into accountthat, individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) may exhibitcalcium metabolism alteration, leading to a state of osteoporosis below the level of the injury due to reducedmobility. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of osteo- porosis in WR athletes with SCI, aiming to outline preventive measures in order to reduce or even avoid fracturesowing to this pathology. Methodology: This study included 14 male athletes with incomplete SCI, injury levelranging between C5-C7, and average time of injury of7.4±4.4 years. All the athletes have been playing WR for3.1±1.7 years, on a 2.4±0.5 hours of training per session basis. Athletes were evaluated by the Health Departmentof the Wheelchair Rugby Brazilian Association. Bonemineral content of the lumbar spine and femur neck wascarried out with a DEXA system, according to the WHO(World Health Organization) protocol for osteopenia andosteoporosis. Results: Five out of 14 athletes presentedLumbar Osteopenia and Femoral Osteoporosis, 02 Femoral Osteopenia, 02 Femoral Osteoporosis, 01 LumbarOsteopenia, 01 Lumbar and Femoral Osteopenia and01 Lumbar and Femoral Osteoporosis. Conclusion: Thisstudy demonstrated that only two athletes presented noosteopenia/osteoporosis, and therefore, indicating theimportance for taking higher attention concerning WRathletes bone health.