Young cyclists wanted for bone health study

University of Exeter researchers are looking for young male cyclists to take part in a study investigating how our body composition is affected by the sports we practice.

The team is seeking boys aged 12-14 who have cycled for three hours or more per week for the past three years, and who expect to continue over the next three years.

Participants will benefit from the study by learning about how the sport they take part in affects their body’s composition – especially their bones.

The research project is important in terms of understanding the bone development of young boys and how some sports can affect the amount of bone mass acquired during this crucial period of life.

Dimitris Vlachopoulos, a PhD researcher at the University of Exeter’s Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre said: “This study is part of the ‘PRO-BONE’ project looking at the longitudinal effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports. Parents, participants and coaches who take part will get valuable feedback once the measurements are completed.”

Participants would be required to visit the research centre on the St Luke’s Campus just five times over the next three years. They will be measured for their body composition, physical fitness and physical activity level. The researchers will collect a small amount of blood, but only finger drops.

The PRO-BONE project is funded by the European Commission and has ethical approval from the NHS.

To take part in the study or for more information please email dv231@exeter.ac.uk or call 07583326273.