Chronic adaptive bone and muscle structure response in adult male tennis players

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to confirm, through bone densitometry, the incidence that the tennis practice has in experienced players' body composition and detect possible asymmetries in semi-professional tennis players. Methods. Thirteen players were evaluated: age: 21.1±3.8 years; height: 178.3±5.5 cm; weight: 74.3±7.3 kg; %Fat: 12.9±6.2. Subjects' body composition analysis was carried out by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results. Results showed significant differences (p≤0.01) in bone mineral composition of the dominant arm (BMC/DA: 220.1±19.3) vs. non-dominant (BMC/N-DA: 177.3±19.8). The same happened with bone mineral density in dominant arm (BMD/DA: 0.99±0.08 vs. non-dominant arm (BMD/N-DA: 0.91±0.07; p≤0.05) and total mass of the dominant arm (MTT/DA: 4345.3±477.4 vs. MTT/N-DA: 3924.7±485.7; p≤0.05). No significant differences were found in fat mass (FM) and lean muscle mass (LMM). Lower limb did not show significant differences in any of the analyzed tissues. Conclusion. Results showed that there is a chronic adaptive response in individuals who have a high volume of training in this discipline for several years. These asymmetries are mainly manifested in BMC/A, BMD/ A and MTT/A. A compensatory work and force training is recommended to develop non-dominant segment.