The effect of intermittent running on biomarkers of bone turnover

Abstract

Intermittent exercise might be an efficient means of exercise for improving bone strength and quality. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of intermittent running on bone turnover markers using altered exercise-to-rest intervals. Twelve males completed one control (no exercise), and three, 45-minute intermittent protocols (5 s, 20 s, and 80 s intervals) matched for distance and speed. Fasted venous blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 h, 2 h and 24 h post-exercise. Carboxyterminal crosslinked telopeptide (CTX-I) and procollagen type 1 amino terminal propeptide (P1NP) were used as markers of bone resorption and formation. After adjustment for baseline, CTX-I concentration at 1 h was higher (very likely to most likely small) for 5 s (30.2%; ±90% confidence limits: 10%), 20 s (2.9.0%; ±10%) and 80 s (32.0%; ±10%) compared to control. The very likely small effect remained for 5 s at 2 h (30.2%; ±15%). The effect for 20 s and 80 s was possibly trivial and possibly small/possibly trivial (~14.5%; ±~15%). Differences in P1NP concentrations were likely to very likely trivial (~7.4%; ±~7.6%). CTX-I concentration is affected acutely by intermittent running with short-interval (5 s) intermittent loading resulting in a prolonged attenuation in circadian rhythm of CTX-I up to 2 h that was not demonstrated as clearly by longer intervals despite matched internal and external training load.

Menstrual Cycle Related Fluctuations in Circulating Markers of Bone Metabolism at Rest and in Response to Running in Eumenorrheic Females

“…Thus, we will reference research done outside of the menstrual cycle realm to compare our results to in the context of post-exercise β-CTXΙ response. Previous studies have shown conflicting results when measuring β-CTXΙ concentrations from pre-to postexercise 108,109,106,113,156,147,124 , with many showing significant increases and some showing decreases or no change. An increase or decrease in β-CTXΙ could both be osteogenic, with increases representing an upregulation of bone remodelling and reductions indicating a decrease in osteoclastic activity and reduced bone loss, with more potential for bone formation.…”

“…Several studies unrelated to the menstrual cycle have shown contradicting results in regard to β-CTXΙ levels to intermittent exercise or prolonged endurance exercise, paired with minimal response of bone formation marker P1NP. This makes it difficult to assess what the long term net effects of these results may be 113,124,108,125,126,127 .…”

“…Exercise induced β-CTXΙ increases could also have been attenuated by pre-exercise nutrition intake. With regard to intensity, previous research comparing different exercise intensities, despite same overall workload, has shown the ability for differing intensities to elicit different β-CTXΙ responses, with the highest intensity protocol increasing β-CTXΙ for up to two hours compared to lower intensities only increasing β-CTXΙ for up to one hour124 . In addition, research comparing males and females cycling at different intensities, found only males had significant increases in β-CTXΙ post-exercise, which raises the question of exercise intensity and sex differences 157 .…”

P1NP and β-CTX-1 Responses to a Prolonged, Continuous Running Bout in Young Healthy Adult Males: A Systematic Review with Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis

“…Furthermore, the results from the few studies that have included a running intervention and a control group are inconsistent. Two studies reported no significant differences in bone formation marker P1NP levels 1-24 h hours after an intermittent [ 15 ] or a continuous [ 16 ] bout of running compared to a non-exercise control condition, but Alkahtani et al [ 17 ] reported increases in P1NP immediately and 24 h after intermittent running. In terms of bone resorption, increases in β-CTX-1 have been shown 1 h, but not 24 h, after intermittent running [ 15 ] and 24-96 h after continuous running [ 16 ].…”

“…Two studies reported no significant differences in bone formation marker P1NP levels 1-24 h hours after an intermittent [ 15 ] or a continuous [ 16 ] bout of running compared to a non-exercise control condition, but Alkahtani et al [ 17 ] reported increases in P1NP immediately and 24 h after intermittent running. In terms of bone resorption, increases in β-CTX-1 have been shown 1 h, but not 24 h, after intermittent running [ 15 ] and 24-96 h after continuous running [ 16 ]. Potential explanations for these discrepant results include differences in exercise regimen (i.e., duration, intensity, intermittent/continuous) and measurement error (i.e., instrumentation and biological noise), and lack of standardisation of factors such as sleep, diet, physical activity prior to and following the running bout.…”