Whether different types of weight bearing loading have different effects on bone mineral accrual in young adults is not well investigated. We measured bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm(2)), bone mineral content (BMC, grams), and bone area (cm(2)) at different sites, in 46 ice hockey players, 18 badminton players and 27 controls, all 17 years of age. A follow up was conducted four years later. The gains in BMD and BMC of the femoral neck and in BMC of the humerus were significantly higher (p<0.05) in badminton players compared with controls during the follow-up time. The badminton players also gained more hip BMC and area compared with the ice hockey players (p<0.05). At the follow-up, the badminton players had higher BMD and BMC at all sites compared with controls (p<0.05). After adjustment for body weight, badminton players had higher hip BMD and BMC, femoral neck BMC, and humeral BMC compared with ice hockey players (p<0.05) at the follow-up. After adjustment for differences in age, there were no differences in BMC or BMD among fathers of badminton players, ice hockey players, or controls, suggesting an absence of selection bias. In conclusion, the novel results of the present study suggest that badminton is associated with higher gains in bone mass and size compared with ice hockey after puberty in men. These differences might be associated with higher strains on the bones from badminton play.