Does a soccer player's level of competition have an effect on bone mineral density?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether players involved in higher levels of soccer competition would have higher bone mineral density (BMD) than those players in lower levels of competition. Twenty-two current female (18–22 years) students who attend a university in Texas and who participate in different levels of soccer were asked to consent to a measurement of BMD of their total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS; L1-L4), and femoral neck (FN; both right and left). Participants were placed in categories (NCAA and Club) based on their soccer team association. There was no significant difference at any BMD site between the NCAA and Club participants. Mean vales for TB, LS, and FN (right and left) were 1.227, 1.275, 1.167, and 1.173 respectively. In conclusion, the type of competition of soccer players does not seem to affect one’s BMD at the TB, LS, and FN sites in college-age women.