@Article{Mohr2026,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="43",
number="1",
year="2026",
title="Recreational football training preserves bone health in women 
over 9 years during the menopause transition",
abstract="We examined the long-term effects of recreational football training on bone mineralization, osteogenic activity, and physical function in women during the menopause transition. 25 women (45±4 yrs at recruitment) were randomized into an exercise group (EXE;  n  = 12) completing 1-h football training sessions on average 1.7/wk for a consecutive 9-yr period or an inactive control group (CON;  n  = 13). Pre and post, we measured bone mineralization and lean body mass, plasma bone turnover markers, and sprint performance. Significant time×group interactions were for leg BMD, leg BMC, femur shaft BMD, CTX-I, PINP, leg lean mass, and sprint performance (all  p  < 0.01), favoring the exercise group. Leg bone mineral density (BMD) decreased ( P  = 0.002) by 0.05 g/cm 2  [-0.08;-0.02] in CON, but was maintained in EXE, resulting in a higher leg BMD in EXE than CON ( P  = 0.02). Leg bone mineral content (BMC) increased in EXE (time×group,  P  = 0.005) resulting in a 56 g [4;108] higher ( P  = 0.04) total leg BMC in EXE compared to CON. A between-group effect existed in favor of EXE for femur shaft BMD (time×group,  P  = 0.005). Plasma CTX-I and PINP increased (both  P  = 0.001) by 95% [43;147] and 64% [29–100] following EXE only (time×group,  P  = 0.003 and 0.02). Leg lean mass increased ( P  < 0.001) by 1.5 kg [1.0;2.1] in EXE (time×group,  P  = 0.006). Finally, sprint performance was maintained in EXE but declined ( P  < 0.001) by 10% [5;14] in CON (time×group,  P  = 0.002). Recreational football training (on average 1.7 sessions per week) over 9 years preserves leg bone health, muscle mass and functional capacity in women during the menopause transition.",
author="Mohr, Magni
and Skoradal, May-Britt
and Sjúrðarson, Tórur
and Jørgensen, Niklas R.
and Mortensen, Jann
and Krustrup, Peter",
pages="281--290",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2026.154145",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154145"
}