Author(s): Zachary L Morcos, Auston Hsieh, Sathvi Gandra and Monique Mokha

Abstract: Bone stress injuries are common among collegiate cross-country runners, occurring at rates of 28.6 and 16.1 per 100,000 athlete-exposures in women and men, respectively. Adequate, individualized dietary patterns have been shown to reduce bone stress injury risk by supporting bone mineral density (BMD); however, there is a lack of consensus on the most advantageous dietary pattern. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with improved BMD in general populations; however, its effect on BMD in collegiate athletes remains unclear. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between MD adherence and total BMD in NCAA Division II cross-country runners and evaluated sex-based differences. Nineteen athletes (7 men, 12 women) underwent assessment of total BMD and Mediterranean diet adherence. While MD adherence was not significantly associated with total BMD, male athletes demonstrated significantly greater total BMD than females, suggesting that a combination of factors may impact skeletal health than dietary pattern alone.

DOI: 10.33545/27077012.2025.v6.i2b.344

Pages: 122-128 | Views: 205 | Downloads: 67

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