The Comparison of Bone Mineral Density in Dominant and Non-Dominant Limbs of Iran Female Professional Handball Players

To throw and kick the ball, most players use a dominant hand or leg which may increase bone mineral density (BMD) of dominant limb. The aim of this study was to compare BMD of dominant and non–dominant hand and leg of professional female handball players. 15 professional handball players (Mean SD: age 23.6+3.1 yr, height 169.4+3.6 cm, weight 62.9+5.7 kg) participated in this study. Bone mineral density of radius (dominant and non – dominant hand), femoral neck and trochanter (dominant and non – dominant leg) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The results of this study showed no significant difference in BMD between dominant (381.7mg/cm2) and non – dominant hand (384.3mg/cm2) in handball players (P>0.05). But a significant difference was observed in BMD between dominant (925.4mg/cm2) and non – dominant leg (956.4mg/cm2) as BMD of non – dominant leg was about 10% higher than dominant leg (P<0.05). BMD of dominant and non – dominant legs was significantly greater than dominant and non – dominant hands (P<0.05). Lower extremities had ignificantly higher BMD than upper extremities (P<0.05). In contrast, upper body had significantly higher BMD than lower body (P<0.05). It can be concluded that involvement of non – dominant leg in taking off, start, stop, jump and land more and more increases BMD in handball players.