Low bone mineral density in professional scuba divers

Scuba diving is associated with a 90% reduction in effective weight and with the loss of a weight-bearing effect on joints. These conditions are very similar to the continuous weightlessness that occurs in spaceflight and bed-rest, which are clearly associated with significant bone mass loss. Here,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical rheumatology Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 19 - 20
Main Authors Pereira Silva, J A, Costa Dias, F, Fonseca, J E, Canhao, H, Resende, C, Viana Queiroz, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany Springer Nature B.V 01.02.2004
Subjects
Absorptiometry, Photon
Adult
Bone Density
Bones
Diving - physiology
Femur Neck - diagnostic imaging
Femur Neck - metabolism
Humans
Male
Osteoporosis - etiology
Osteoporosis - metabolism
Risk Factors
Scuba & skin diving
Space life sciences
Weight-Bearing - physiology
Weightlessness - adverse effects
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Summary:Scuba diving is associated with a 90% reduction in effective weight and with the loss of a weight-bearing effect on joints. These conditions are very similar to the continuous weightlessness that occurs in spaceflight and bed-rest, which are clearly associated with significant bone mass loss. Here, we studied the bone mineral density (BMD) of 66 professional scuba divers using a dual-photon densitometer, and have depicted a reduction in the BMD in comparison to a matched control group of non-divers. Our results suggest that diving is also an activity where the unloading effect alters bone metabolism, leading to a reduction in BMD.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0770-3198
1434-9949
DOI:10.1007/s10067-003-0787-1