Comparison of Tibial Geometry, Density, and Strength in College-Aged Female Eumenorrheic Dancers, Gymnasts, and Runners: A Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Study

Introduction: Weightbearing activities such as gymnastics, soccer, weightlifting, and running have often been used as benchmarks in skeletal research since they have been shown to promote densitometric and geometric benefits. In comparison with other sports, there is a paucity of information in relation to dance and its osteogenic potential. Objective: This study aimed to compare tibial geometry, density, and strength in college-aged dancers versus gymnasts and runners. Methods: A total of 60 trained eumenorrheic collegiate-aged female dancers (n = 11), gymnasts (n = 11), runners (n = 19), and sedentary controls (n = 19) were included in the study. Bone measure- ments, including total area (ToA), volumetric (total vBMD) and cortical density (CoD), compressive bone strength (BSI), and polar strength stress index (SSIp) of the dominant limb, were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal and proximal tibia (4% and 66% of limb length). Results: No significant differences in ToA, CoD, CoA, and total vBMD were found between dancers and the comparison athletes at the measured sites. In addition, strength indices (BSI and SSIp) at the distal and proximal sites were similar between the dancing and both athlete groups. Conclusion: Results suggest dance elicits similar structural adaptations at the tibia compared to benchmark high-impact and repetitive impact sports; thus, indicating dance, in its various forms, can have a positive effect on important bone variables that influence density and strength. These adaptations may potentially delay or prevent bone fragility later in life. Future studies should compare individual styles of dance separately, longitudinally, and include other important lower (e.g., hip) and upper body (e.g., radius) sites to further identify which forms provide the greatest osteogenic benefits.