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Freitas L, Bezerra A, Resende-Coelho A, Gomez-Lazaro M, Maciel L, Amorim T, Fernandes RJ, Fonseca H. Impact of Long-Term Swimming Exercise on Rat Femur Bone Quality. Biomedicines 2023; 12:35. [PMID: 38255142 PMCID: PMC10813774 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the conflicting evidence regarding the potential long-term detrimental effect of swimming during growth on femur quality and fracture risk, our aim was to investigate the effect of eight months of swimming on femur quality. Twenty male eight-week-old Wistar rats were assigned into a swimming (SW; n = 10; 2 h/day, 5 days/week) or active control group (CG; n = 10, housed with running wheel) for eight months. Plasma osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentrations (ELISA) were assessed at baseline, four, and eight months of protocol. Femur structure (micro-computed tomography), biomechanical properties (three-point bending), and cellular density (histology) were determined after the protocol. SW displayed a lower uncoupling index, suggesting higher bone resorption, lower empty lacunae density, cortical and trabecular femur mass, femur length and cortical thickness, and higher cortical porosity than CG (p < 0.05). Although both biomarkers' concentrations decreased in both groups throughout the experiment (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). No differences were also found regarding biomechanical properties, bone marrow adiposity, and osteocyte and osteoclast densities (p > 0.05). Long-term swimming was associated with unbalanced bone turnover and compromised femur growth, lower femur mass, and deteriorated cortical bone microarchitecture. However, femur trabecular microarchitecture and biomechanical properties were not affected by swimming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Freitas
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (A.B.); (A.R.-C.); (L.M.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea Bezerra
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (A.B.); (A.R.-C.); (L.M.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Resende-Coelho
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (A.B.); (A.R.-C.); (L.M.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Gomez-Lazaro
- i3S—Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Leonardo Maciel
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (A.B.); (A.R.-C.); (L.M.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Postgraduate Nursing Program, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil
- Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto 49400-000, Brazil
| | - Tânia Amorim
- Fame Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 421-00 Trikala, Greece;
| | - Ricardo J. Fernandes
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hélder Fonseca
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (A.B.); (A.R.-C.); (L.M.); (H.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
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