Bone Mineral Density, Mechanical Loading, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in University Runners: A Pilot Study

Bone Mineral Density, Mechanical Loading, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in University Runners: A Pilot Study

Alvin Sherman Library

Bone mineral density (BMD) is influenced by both mechanical loading and dietary patterns and is a determinant of skeletal health in distance runners. This exploratory study examined descriptive relationships among Mediterranean diet adherence, running biomechanics, and BMD in a pilot sample of competitive distance runners. Seven university runners, (18-21 years; 5 female, 2 male) completed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess total and segmental BMD, and a running biomechanical analysis on an instrumented treadmill. Biomechanical variables included peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), hip and knee joint reaction forces (JRF), ground contact time (GCT), and vertical stiffness(kvert). Dietary patterns were assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Two of the three participants with moderate Mediterranean diet adherence (MEDAS 6-9) demonstrated higher total BMD (1.206 - 1.272 g/cm²) compared to those with low adherence (MEDAS 3-5; 1.089 to 1.138 g/cm²). Higher BMD values coincided with larger mechanical loading, including higher peak vGRF (31.4-32.3 N/kg), hip JRF (27.0 to 27.5 N/kg), knee JRF (26.3 to 26.3 N/kg), higher vertical stiffness (0.41-0.42 kN/m), and shorter GCT (0.19-0.22 s). Longer GCT (0.24-0.25 s) and lower vertical stiffness (0.29-0.34 kN/m) were seen in runners with lower BMD. Results showed that higher BMD corresponded with larger mechanical loads, higher stiffness, and shorter contact times. Mediterranean diet adherence appears to support but not determine BMD. Results from this small cohort highlight the potential interactions between mechanical loading, dietary patterns, and BMD, and warrant need for further investigation in longer, longitudinal studies.