Category Archives: Exercise

Minimal Effect on Bones From Triathlon Training

Abstract

Competitive season of triathlon does not alter bone metabolism and bone mineral status in male triathletes.

This longitudinal study evaluated the effects of a triathlon season on bone metabolism and hormonal status. Seven male competitive triathletes (mean age 19.3 years, range 18 – 20) with 5.0 +/- 0.3 years of competition experience were tested twice during the season: at the beginning of training and 32 weeks later. Total and regional bone mineral density (BMD) was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while bone turnover was evaluated by specific biochemical markers: bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), osteocalcin, and urinary type I collagen C-telopeptide. In addition, sexual, calciotropic and somatotropic hormones were also analyzed. After 32 weeks, a BMD increase was found at the lumbar spine (1.9 %; p = 0.031) and skull (3.1 %; p = 0.048), while no variation was observed for total body or at the proximal femur. The B-ALP level decreased (-23.2 %; p = 0.031), but no variation was found for the other bone markers. 1.25 (OH) (2)D3, IGF-1 and the bioavailability IGF-1 index (IGF-1/IGFBP-3) increased by 18.3 % (p = 0.047), 29 % (p = 0.048), 33 % (p = 0.011), respectively, while PTH, testosterone, IGFBP-3 and cortisol concentrations were unchanged. In conclusion, the triathlon season had a moderately favourable effect on BMD, although a slowing down of bone formation activity was observed. No variation in hormonal levels was observed that could have limited the effects of exercise on bone tissue.

Maïmoun L, Galy O, Manetta J, Coste O…
Int J Sports Med Apr 2004
PMID: 15088249

Review: Exercise & Bones

Abstract

The effect of physical activity and its interaction with nutrition on bone health.

Physical activity (PA) is a popular therapy for the prevention and treatment of bone loss and osteoporosis because it has no adverse side effects, it is low cost, and it confers additional benefits such as postural stability and fall prevention. Bone mass is regulated by mechanical loading, and is limited but not controlled by diet. The mechanism by which strain thresholds turn bone remodelling ‘on’ and ‘off’ is known as the mechanostat theory. Research in animals has shown that optimal strains are dynamic, with a high change rate, an unusual distribution and a high magnitude of strain, but the results of randomized controlled trials in human subjects have been somewhat equivocal. In the absence of weight-bearing activity nutritional or endocrine interventions cannot maintain bone mass. Biochemical markers of bone turnover predict bone mass changes, and findings from our research group and others have shown that both acute and chronic exercise can reduce bone resorption. Similarly, Ca intervention studies have shown that supplementation can reduce bone resorption. Several recent meta-analytical reviews concur that changes in bone mass with exercise are typically 2-3%. Some of these studies suggest that Ca intake may influence the impact of PA on bone, with greater effects in Ca-replete subjects. Comparative studies between Asian (high PA, low Ca intake) and US populations (low PA, high Ca intake) suggest that PA may permit an adaptation to low Ca intakes. Whether Ca and PA interact synergistically is one of the most important questions unanswered in the area of lifestyle-related bone health research.

Murphy NM, Carroll P
Proc Nutr Soc Nov 2003
PMID: 15018482

Volleyball and Basketball > Soccer and Track > Swimming

Abstract

Weight-bearing exercise and markers of bone turnover in female athletes.

Weight-bearing activity provides an osteogenic stimulus, while effects of swimming on bone are unclear. We evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover in female athletes (n = 41, age 20.7 yr) comparing three impact groups, high impact (High, basketball and volleyball, n = 14), medium impact (Med, soccer and track, n = 13), and nonimpact (Non, swimming, n = 7), with sedentary age-matched controls (Con, n = 7). BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, femoral neck (FN), Ward’s triangle, and trochanter (TR); bone resorption estimated from urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides (NTx); and bone formation determined from serum osteocalcin. Adjusted BMD (g/cm; covariates: body mass index, weight, and calcium and calorie intake) was greater at the FN and TR in the High group (1.27 +/- 0.03 and 1.05 +/- 0.03) than in the
Non (1.05 +/- 0.04 and 0.86 +/- 0.04) and
Con (1.03 +/- 0.05 and 0.85 +/- 0.05) groups and greater at the TR in the
Med group (1.01 +/- 0.03) than in the
Non (0.86 +/- 0.04) and
Con (0.85 +/- 0.05) groups. Total body BMD was higher in the
High group (4.9 +/- 0.12) than in the
Med (4.5 +/- 0.12),
Non (4.2 +/- 0.14), and
Con (4.1 +/- 0.17) groups and greater in the Med group than in the Non and Con groups. Bone formation was lower in the
Non group (19.8 +/- 2.6) than in the
High (30.6 +/- 3.0) and
Med (32.9 +/- 1.9, P < or = 0.05) groups. No differences in a marker of bone resorption (NTx) were noted. This indicates that women who participate in impact sports such as volleyball and basketball had higher BMDs and bone formation values than female swimmers.

Creighton DL, Morgan AL, Boardley D, Brolinson PG
J. Appl. Physiol. Feb 2001
PMID: 11160054 | Free Full Text

Unclear How Strength Training Increases Bone Density

Abstract

Effects of strength training on bone mineral density: hormonal and bone turnover relationships.

The effects of a 16-wk strength-training program on bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 21 men [age 61 +/- 1 (SE) yr]. Sixteen men (age 59 +/- 2 yr) served as control subjects. To investigate the possible hormonal relationships underlying the effects on BMD, serum concentrations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, and testosterone were determined before and after training. In addition, osteocalcin and skeletal alkaline phosphatase (markers of bone formation) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (a marker of bone resorption) were measured before and after training to assess bone turnover. The training program resulted in a 2.8 +/- 0.6% increase in femoral neck BMD (1.004 +/- 0.037 vs. 1.031 +/- 0.037 g/cm2; P < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in total body, anterioposterior spine, lateral spine, Ward’s triangle, or greater trochanter BMD. Moreover, there were no significant changes in growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, testosterone, osteocalcin, or skeletal alkaline phosphatase. There were no changes in the control group. Thus, strength training can increase femoral neck BMD, and this effect does not appear to be accompanied by changes in anabolic hormones or markers of bone formation and resorption.

Ryan AS, Treuth MS, Rubin MA, Miller JP…
J. Appl. Physiol. Oct 1994
PMID: 7836186

Running Improves Calcium Balance in Rats

Abstract

Hypokinesia-induced negative net calcium balance reversed by weight-bearing exercise.

Negative calcium balance and bone loss occurring with immobilization and hypokinesia have been attributed to a lack of weight bearing on bones. The effects of weight-bearing exercise for promotion of calcium balance after hypokinesia were examined. Rats were randomly assigned to either hypokinetic suspension for 28 d or to a control sedentary group, free to move about their cages at will. After 28 d, the rats in each group were randomly subdivided to either post-hypokinetic forced running (HR), post-hypokinetic sedentary (HS), control forced running (CR), or control sedentary (CS) groups. Net calcium balance was then determined for 25 consecutive days. Net calcium balance of HR was negative for the first 5-d period of recovery and then became positive; that of HS was negative for 25 d; that of CR and CS remained essentially positive. Net calcium absorption paralleled net calcium balance. Forced running was effective in reestablishment of positive net calcium balance after 28 d of decreased weight bearing.

Lutz J, Chen F, Kasper CE
Aviat Space Environ Med Apr 1987
PMID: 3579816

Exercise + HRT = Bone Synergy

Abstract

Additive effects of weight-bearing exercise and estrogen on bone mineral density in older women.

The separate and combined effects of weight-bearing exercise and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) were studied in 32 women, 60 to 72 years of age. HRT consisted of continuous conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg/day and trimonthly medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg/day for 13 days. Exercise consisted of 2 months of low-intensity exercise followed by 9 months of more vigorous weight-bearing exercise approximately 45 minutes/day, > or = 3 days/week, at 65-85% of maximal heart rate. Lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD were significantly increased in response to exercise and to HRT, and total body BMD was significantly increased in response to HRT; neither exercise nor HRT had an effect on wrist BMD. The combination of exercise + HRT resulted in increased BMD at all sites except the wrist, with effects being additive for the lumbar spine and Ward’s triangle and synergistic for the total body. Based on reductions in serum osteocalcin levels, it appears that increases in BMD in response to HRT and exercise + HRT were due to decreased bone turnover. The lack of change in serum osteocalcin and IGF-I in response to exercise alone suggests that increases in BMD were due to decreased bone resorption and not increased formation. Results indicate that weight-bearing exercise + HRT may be effective in preventing and/or treating osteoporosis. It is likely that the additive effects of weight-bearing exercise and HRT on bone mineral accretion, coupled with other adaptations to the exercise (i.e., increased strength and functional capacity), could effectively reduce the incidence of falls and osteoporotic fractures.

Kohrt WM, Snead DB, Slatopolsky E, Birge SJ
J. Bone Miner. Res. Sep 1995
PMID: 7502701