Assessment of the Density of Mandibular Bones in Rowers, Depending on Body Mass Index

Abstract

Sile naprezanja mišića koje se razvijaju u svakodnevnoj tjelesnoj aktivnosti potiču proces koštane formacije u područjima hvatišta napregnutih mišića, a to pojačava mineralni sastav kosti i povećava njezinu gustoću. Svrha ovoga istraživanja bila je procijeniti gustoću mandibularne kosti u skupini aktivnih veslača, usporediti izmjerene vrijednosti s vrijednostima dobivenima u kontrolnoj skupini te istražiti postoji li statistički znatna razlika u ukupnom uzorku ovisno o različitom indeksu mase tijela ispitanika. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo osam aktivnih veslača i sedam ispitanika u kontrolnoj skupini. Svim ispitanicima izrađeni su ortopantomogrami, a vrijednosti gustoće izmjerene na njima izražene su u ekvivalentima debljine bakrenoga kalibracijskoga klina. U svim točkama izmjerenima s desne i lijeve strane angulusa mandibule mandibularna gustoća u veslača bila je viša od iste u kontrolnoj skupini. Također je u svim točkama izmjerenima s desne i lijeve strane angulusa mandibule mandibularna gustoća u skupini s višim vrijednostima indeksa mase tijela bila veća od iste u skupini s nižim vrijednostima indeksa mase tijela. Statistički znatna razlika nije zabilježena (p>0,05). Pojačana tjelesna aktivnost neminovno dovodi do zgušnjavanja koštane strukture u područjima hvatišta napregnute mišićne skupine, a u svrhu kompenzacije djelovanja sile naprezanja na okolno tkivo.The forces of muscular exertion which develop during daily physical exercise stimulate the process of bone formation in the areas of the insertions of the exerted muscles, resulting in the strengthening of bone, in terms of increased mineral component of the bone and increase in its density. The object of this study was to assess the density of mandibular bones in a group of active rowers, compare the measured values with values obtained in a control group and to examine whether there is statistically significant difference in the total sample, depending on the different body mass index of the subjects. Eight active rowers took part in the study and seven subjects in a control group. An orthopantomogram was performed in all subjects and the values of density measured on them were expressed in equivalent thickness of the copper calibration pin. In all points measured from the right and left sides of the angulus mandible mandibular density in rowers was higher than the same in the control group. Furthermore, in all points measured from the right and left side of the angulus mandible mandibular density in the group with higher values of body mass index was higher than the same in the group with lower values of body mass index. No statistically significant difference was recorded (p>0.05). Increased physical activity inevitably leads to thickening of bone structure in the areas of the insertions of the exerted group of muscles and in order to compensate for the effect of the forces of exertion on surrounding tissue