Bone and Body Composition in Current and Retiring Elite Rowers: Comparisons with Age-Matched Controls

Elite athletes undergo years of intensive training that places substantial demands on their bones, muscles and cardiovascular systems. Rowing is particularly interesting because it combines high levels of endurance training with repetitive mechanical loading and considerable muscular strength. While the cardiovascular adaptations to elite athletic training have been extensively studied, less is known about the musculoskeletal adaptations associated with rowing and how these may differ across stages of an athlete's competitive career. This project will investigate bone mineral density, bone mineral content and body composition in current and retiring elite rowers compared with age-matched non-athletic controls. Using an existing dataset of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements, the student will examine differences in skeletal health, lean muscle mass and fat mass between athletes and controls. The project will also explore relationships between muscle mass and bone health, providing insights into the potential musculoskeletal benefits of long-term participation in elite rowing. This research is being undertaken in collaboration with Professor André La Gerche, an internationally recognised researcher in sports cardiology and exercise physiology. The project complements the broader research undertaken through the Prospective Athlete's Heart (Pro@Heart) Study, an international research initiative investigating the physiological adaptations and long-term health implications of endurance training in elite athletes. The student will gain practical experience in clinical research, quantitative data analysis, interpretation of DXA measurements and scientific communication. This project is particularly suited to students interested in exercise physiology, sports science, musculoskeletal health, human physiology and the health of elite athletes.