MMP2 and MMP9 plasma levels as markers of bone remodeling : a study on young male tennis players

<b>Introduction</b><br />Our goal is to study the effects of tennis practice in pre-pubescent boys on bone remodeling, by means of enzyme activity involved in balance of matrix remodeling (MMP2 and MMP9).<br /><b>Results</b><br />Mineral bone density has been found higher in the dominant arm (<i>P </i>< 0.0001) as well as MMP2 and MMP9 levels in plasma (<i>P</i> < 0.05).<br /><b>Conclusion</b><br />Tennis practice in children increases bone remodeling, which can be assessed by MMP dosage, in addition of densitometry technique.<br />