The interactions of physical activity, exercise and genetics and their associations with bone mineral density: implications for injury risk in elite athletes

Herbert, Adam J. and Williams, Alun G and Hennis, Philip J and Erskine, Robert M and Sale, Craig and Day, Stephen H and Stebbings, Georgina K (2019) The interactions of physical activity, exercise and genetics and their associations with bone mineral density: implications for injury risk in elite athletes. European journal of applied physiology, 119 (1). pp. 29-47. ISSN 1439-6327

[img]
Preview
Text
The interactions of physical activity, exercise and genetics and their associations with bone mineral density implications for injury risk in elite athletes (Herbert et al., 2018).pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (819kB)

Abstract

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is established as a primary predictor of osteoporotic risk and can also have substantial implications for athlete health and injury risk in the elite sporting environment. BMD is a highly multi-factorial phenotype influenced by diet, hormonal characteristics and physical activity. The interrelationships between such factors, and a strong genetic component, suggested to be around 50-85% at various anatomical sites, determine skeletal health throughout life. Genome-wide association studies and case-control designs have revealed many loci associated with variation in BMD. However, a number of the candidate genes identified at these loci have no known associated biological function or have yet to be replicated in subsequent investigations. Furthermore, few investigations have considered gene-environment interactions-in particular, whether specific genes may be sensitive to mechanical loading from physical activity and the outcome of such an interaction for BMD and potential injury risk. Therefore, this review considers the importance of physical activity on BMD, genetic associations with BMD and how subsequent investigation requires consideration of the interaction between these determinants. Future research using well-defined independent cohorts such as elite athletes, who experience much greater mechanical stress than most, to study such phenotypes, can provide a greater understanding of these factors as well as the biological underpinnings of such a physiologically "extreme" population. Subsequently, modification of training, exercise or rehabilitation programmes based on genetic characteristics could have substantial implications in both the sporting and public health domains once the fundamental research has been conducted successfully.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4007-8
Dates:
DateEvent
January 2019Published
4 October 2018Accepted
30 October 2018Published Online
Subjects: CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-02 - biology (non-specific)
CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-07 - genetics
CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-08 - molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-05 - medical sciences > CAH02-05-04 - anatomy, physiology and pathology
Divisions: Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > Centre for Social Care, Health and Related Research (C-SHARR)
Depositing User: Adam Herbert
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2019 10:10
Last Modified: 03 Mar 2022 17:15
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7342

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Research

In this section...