How different sports affect bone metabolism in professional athletes

Study of the Metabolic Profile of Bone in Professional Athletes as a Function of the Kind of Physical Activity Performed

Observational I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio · NCT03386981

We will test whether different types of physical activity change bone metabolism and related hormone and energy‑metabolism markers in healthy adult professional athletes.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorI.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio Academic / other
Locations1 site (Milan)
Trial IDNCT03386981 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study compares professional athletes engaged in different kinds of physical activity to characterize bone turnover markers, energy‑metabolism indicators, hormone profiles, and basic organ function. Participants provide blood and saliva samples for biochemical testing; imaging is not part of the protocol. Researchers will correlate biochemical profiles with the type and intensity of physical activity to identify patterns linked to higher or lower bone metabolic activity. The study is conducted at Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi in Milan and enrolls healthy adult Caucasian athletes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adult (≥18) Caucasian professional athletes without primary metabolic bone disease, recent fractures, recent cancer, active inflammatory conditions, or chronic medication use.

Not a fit: Individuals who are pregnant, under 18, have primary metabolic bone disease, recent fractures, ongoing cancer or inflammatory disease, or who take chronic medications are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, results could help tailor training and nutrition strategies to protect and optimize bone health in athletes.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show weight‑bearing exercise improves bone density, but comprehensive profiling that links bone turnover with energy metabolism, hormones, and organ function specifically in professional athletes is less well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* \>/= 18 yo
* healthy status
* caucasians

Exclusion Criteria:

* \< 18 yo
* pregnancy status
* ongoing or previous (\<5 years) neoplasia
* acute or chronic inflammatory pathologies
* primary metabolic diseases of bone
* recent bone fractures (\< 6 months)
* chronic drugs
* recent drugs administration (\< 2 months) for non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids
* anxious-depressive conditions
* inability to understand the information given by the recruiting physician

Where this trial is running

Milan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Bone Disease, MetabolicPhysical ActivityEnergy metabolismHomeostasisBone turnover markers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.