Arm bone loading index predicts DXA musculoskeletal outcomes in two samples of post-menarcheal girls.

Objective: A site-specific bone loading index was developed to predict post-menarcheal arm bone mass, geometry, areal density and non-bone lean mass using organized activity records.

Methods: Two cohorts of post-menarcheal girls (A= 55, B= 48) met analysis inclusion criteria: (1) Whole body and non-dominant radius DXA scans +1.0 to +2.

Improved body composition assessment using biceps skinfold and physical activity score in premenarcheal girls: a DXA-based validation study.

Objective: Age-specific body mass index (BMI) is commonly employed as an index of adiposity for pediatric clinical and research purposes. However, BMI fails to discriminate between fat and lean mass, making it an imperfect monitor for obesity. We hypothesized that simple anthropometry and organized non-aquatic physical activity assessment (PA) would provide superior explanatory value for pediatric body composition outcomes.

Skeletal benefits of pre-menarcheal gymnastics are retained after activity cessation.

Mechanical loading during childhood and adolescence may yield skeletal benefits that persist beyond activity cessation and menarche. At 1 year pre- and 2 years post-menarche, nondominant forearm areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and projected area (area) were compared in gymnasts (n = 9), ex-gymnasts (n = 8) and nongymnasts (n = 13). At both observations, gymnasts and ex-gymnasts had higher forearm aBMD, BMC and area than nongymnasts.