Sprinting performance correlates with composite indices of femoral neck strength in middle-aged active men

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to explore the relationships between 20-meter sprinting time and composite indices of femoral neck strength (compression strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI) and impact strength index (ISI)) in a group of middle-aged active men. 50 middle-aged active men voluntarily participated in this study. Their mean age was 45 ± 8.6 years. Body composition, total hip bone mineral density (TH BMD) and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD) were evaluated by DXA. Sprinting time was negatively correlated to CSI (r = −0.52; p < 0.001), BSI (r = −0.43; p < 0.01) and ISI (r = −0.47; p < 0.001). The significant correlations between sprinting time and composite indices of femoral neck strength (CSI, BSI and ISI) remained significant after controlling for body weight, age and maximum oxygen consumption using multiple linear regressions. In conclusion, the current study suggests that sprinting performance (m/sec) is a positive determinant of CSI, BSI and ISI in middle-aged men.