The Lichfield bone study: the skeletal response to exercise in healthy young men

2 AbstractPurpose: Few human studies have reported early structural adaptations of bone to weightbearing exercise, which provide a greater contribution to improved bone strength than increased density. This prospective study examined site-and regional-specific adaptations of the tibia during arduous training in a cohort of male military (infantry) recruits to better understand how bone responds in vivo to mechanical loading.Methods: Tibial bone density and geometry were measured in 90 British Army male recruits (ages 21 + 3 y, height 1.78 ± 0.06 m, body mass 73.9 + 9.8 kg) in weeks 1 (Baseline) and 10 of initial military training. Scans were performed at the 4%, 14%, 38% and 66% sites, measured from the distal end plate, using pQCT (XCT2000L, Stratec Pforzheim, Germany).Customised software (BAMPack, L-3 ATI) was used to examine whole bone cross-section and regional sectors. T-tests determined significant differences between time points (P<0.05).Results: Bone density of trabecular and cortical compartments increased significantly at all measured sites. Bone geometry (cortical area and thickness) and bone strength (i, MM i and BSI) at the diaphyseal sites (38 and 66%) were also significantly higher in week 10. Regional changes in density and geometry were largely observed in the anterior, medial-anterior and anterior-posterior sectors. Calf muscle density and area (66% site) increased significantly at week 10 (P<0.01). Conclusions:In vivo mechanical loading improves bone strength of the human tibia by increased density and periosteal expansion, which varies by site and region of the bone.These changes may occur in response to the nature and distribution of forces originating from bending, torsional and shear stresses of military training. These improvements are observed early in training when the osteogenic stimulus is sufficient, which may be close to the fracture threshold in some individuals.3

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“…We detected no change in endocortical perimeter consistent with military training studies of the femur using MRI [60].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Increased density and periosteal expansion of the tibia in young adult men following short-term arduous training

Izard¹,

Fraser

Negus³

et al. 2016

Bone

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“…Bone volume data at entry ( Table 2 ) were representative of the larger sample set from which they were drawn (p > 0.2 for all measures) 31 ), and were not related to age, weight or BMI(p > 0.2). Correlations were seen between height and all bone volumes (periosteal volume r 2 = 0.27, endosteal volume r 2 = 0.17 and cortical volume r 2 = 0.10, all p < 0.001).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All then underwent an identical intensive twelve-week period of physical training which has been previously described in detail 31 33 34 . In brief, this involved 28 × 40–80 min periods of strength training (including leg press and dead lift), 15 endurance training episodes (including interval running, and incrementally-loaded marching), and a total of 24 periods of agility training, material handling, circuit training (high-repetition, low-force exercise of all major muscle groups), and sports periods of ball games in a small area.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was assessed (as previously described 27 31 by dual x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR-1000/W system; Hologic Inc,Bedford, MA, USA) using analysis protocols and edge detection algorithms (VERTEC Scientific Ltd, Reading, UK). Subjects were supine, with the foot braced and strapped to a plastic triangular frame, ensuring fixed internal rotation of 60°.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have previously reported the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors, and the impact of physical training, on the femoral bone phenotypes of consecutive Caucasian males recruited to the British Army Training Regiment 31 . In part, this involved magnetic resonance imaging of the upper femur.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relationship Between Lower Limb Bone and Muscle in Military Recruits, Response to Physical Training and Influence of Smoking Status

Puthucheary

Kordi

Rawal

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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The relationship between bone and skeletal muscle mass may be affected by physical training. No studies have prospectively examined the bone and skeletal muscle responses to a short controlled exercise-training programme. We hypothesised that a short exercise-training period would affect muscle and bone mass together. Methods: Femoral bone and Rectus femoris Volumes (RFVOL) were determined by magnetic resonance imaging in 215 healthy army recruits, and bone mineral density (BMD) by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and repeated after 12 weeks of regulated physical training. Results: Pre-training, RFVOL was smaller in smokers than non-smokers (100.9 ± 20.2 vs. 108.7 ± 24.5, p = 0.018; 96.2 ± 16.9 vs. 104.8 ± 21.3, p = 0.002 for dominant/non-dominant limbs), although increases in RFVOL with training (of 14.2 ± 14.5% and 13.2 ± 15.6%] respectively, p < 0.001) were independent of prior smoking status. Pre-training RFVOL was related to bone cortical volume (r2 = 0.21 and 0.30, p < 0.001 for dominant and non-dominant legs), and specifically to periosteal (r2 = 0.21 and 0.23, p < 0.001) volume. Pre-training dominant RFVOL was independently associated with Total Hip BMD (p < 0.001). Training-related increases in RFVOL and bone volumes were related. Whilst smokers demonstrated lower muscle mass than non-smokers, differences were abolished with training. Training-related increases in muscle mass were related to increases in periosteal bone volume in both dominant and non-dominant legs.

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State of Knowledge on Molecular Adaptations to Exercise in Humans: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

Lavin

Coen

Baptista

et al. 2022

Comprehensive Physiology

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For centuries, regular exercise has been acknowledged as a potent stimulus to promote, maintain, and restore healthy functioning of nearly every physiological system of the human body. With advancing understanding of the complexity of human physiology, continually evolving methodological possibilities, and an increasingly dire public health situation, the study of exercise as a preventative or therapeutic treatment has never been more interdisciplinary, or more impactful. During the early stages of the NIH Common Fund Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) Initiative, the field is well-positioned to build substantially upon the existing understanding of the mechanisms underlying benefits associated with exercise. Thus, we present a comprehensive body of the knowledge detailing the current literature basis surrounding the molecular adaptations to exercise in humans to provide a view of the state of the field at this critical juncture, as well as a resource for scientists bringing external expertise to the field of exercise physiology. In reviewing current literature related to molecular and cellular processes underlying exercise-induced benefits and adaptations, we also draw attention to existing knowledge gaps warranting continued research effort.

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The Lichfield bone study: the skeletal response to exercise in healthy young men

Cited by 16 publications

References 113 publications

Increased density and periosteal expansion of the tibia in young adult men following short-term arduous training

Increased density and periosteal expansion of the tibia in young adult men following short-term arduous training

The Relationship Between Lower Limb Bone and Muscle in Military Recruits, Response to Physical Training and Influence of Smoking Status

State of Knowledge on Molecular Adaptations to Exercise in Humans: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

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