Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How many days per week should rats undergo running exercise to increase BMD?

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different frequencies of running exercise on increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and improving bone histomorphology at various sites of the skeleton (tibia, femur, and second lumbar vertebra) in young rats. Twenty-five female Wistar rats, 8 weeks old, were divided into five groups, of 5 animals each according to running load: control group, no running (A group); running load (RL), 4 days per week (d/w; B group); RL, 5 d/w (C group); RL, 6 d/w (D group); and RL, 7 d/w (E group). Rats ran on a treadmill at a speed of 15 m/min for 30 min per day over an 8-week period. The results indicated that the BMD of the tibia in the B, C, D, and E groups and that of the femur in the B and E groups increased significantly over that of the A group. However, the cortical BMD and trabecular BMD of the second lumbar vertebra did not change. In regard to bone histomorphometry of the tibia, a parameter of bone resorption (eroded surface/bone surface) was significantly lower in the B and D groups than in the A group. There were no differences in the parameters of bone formation. Tartaric acid-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) values were significantly lower in the B and C groups than in the A group. There were significant increases in body weight in the B group and in muscle weight in the C group. From the data obtained in this study, it was concluded that increases in BMD were obtained by a moderate running load at frequencies of 4 and 5 days per week.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S Goto S Hyakutake H Shigeta (1995) ArticleTitleSignificance and effects of athletics for prevention of osteoporosis (in Japanese Osteoporosis Japan 3 110–118

    Google Scholar 

  2. DC Welten HCG Kemper GB Post WV Mechelen J Twisk P Lips GJ Teule (1994) ArticleTitleWeight-bearing activity during youth is a more important factor for peak bone mass than calcium intake J Bone Miner Res 9 1089–1096 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD38fmt1I%3D Occurrence Handle7942156

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. AL Friedlander HK Genant S Sadowsky NN Byl CC Gluer (1995) ArticleTitleA 2-year program of aerobics and weight training enhances bone mineral density of young women J Bone Miner Res 10 574–585 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqA3srjtVM%3D Occurrence Handle7610928

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. KH Myburgh LK Bachrach B Lewis K Kent R Marcus (1993) ArticleTitleLow bone mineral density at axial and appendicular sites in amenorrheic athletes Med Sci Sports Exerc 25 1197–1202 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuC3MfotFM%3D Occurrence Handle8289605

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. KH Myburgh J Hutchins AB Fataar SF Hough TD Noakes (1990) ArticleTitleLow bone density is an etiologic factor for stress fracture in athletes Ann Intern Med 113 754–759 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6D2M3ns1A%3D Occurrence Handle1978620

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. JC Prior YM Vigna MT Schechter AE Burgess (1990) ArticleTitleSpinal bone loss and ovulatory disturbances N Engl J Med 323 1221–1227 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6D3MrisFc%3D Occurrence Handle2215605

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. S Goto H Shigeta S Hyakutake M Yamagata (1996) ArticleTitleComparison between menopause-related changes in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur in Japanese female athletes: a long-term longitudinal study using dual-energy X ray absorptiometry. Calcif Tissue Int 59 461–465 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XnsVWitrg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. DJ Cavanaugh CE Cann (1988) ArticleTitleBrisk walking does not stop bone loss in postmenopausal women Bone 9 201–204 Occurrence Handle10.1016/8756-3282(88)90031-2 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaD3c%2Fjsl0%3D Occurrence Handle3166836

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. EI Barengolts DJ Curry MS Bapna SC Kukreja (1993) ArticleTitleEffects of endurance exercise on bone mass and mechanical properties in intact and ovariectomized rats J Bone Miner Res 8 937–942 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD38nktVY%3D Occurrence Handle8213256

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. EI Barengolts DJ Curry MS Bapana SC Kukreja (1993) ArticleTitleEffects of two non endurance exercise protocols on established bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Calcif Tissue Int 52 239–243 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB2crgvFw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. EI Barengolts PV Lathon DJ Curry SC Kukreja (1994) ArticleTitleEffects of endurance exercise on bone histomorphometric parameters in intact and ovariectomized rats Bone Miner 26 133–140 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD1cnjvVM%3D Occurrence Handle7994185

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. S Bourrin S Palle R Pupier L Vico C Alexandre (1995) ArticleTitleEffects of physical training on bone adaptation in three zones of the rat tibia J Bone Miner Res 10 1745–1752 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymC2MrmsFQ%3D Occurrence Handle8592952

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. S Bourrin C Genty S Palle C Gharib C Alexandre (1994) ArticleTitleAdverse effects of strenuous exercise: a densitometric and histomorphometoric study in the rat. J Appl Physiol 76 1999–2005 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuA2c3hvVc%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Y Hagihara S Fukuda S Goto S Hasegawa H Iida M Yamagata T Saisu H Moriya (2000) ArticleTitleEffects of continuous running exercise on bone mineral density in young rats (in Japanese Osteoporosis Japan 8 220–223

    Google Scholar 

  15. AM Parfitt FH Gloriex JA Kanis H Malluche PJ Meunier SM Ott RR Recker (1987) ArticleTitleBone histomorphometry nomenclature symbols and units. Report of the ASMER Histomorphometry Nomenclature Committee. J Bone Miner Res 2 595–610 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieA3sfjsFc%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. J Iwamoto T Takeda S Ichimura C Simamura S Yamazaki Y Toyama (2000) ArticleTitleEffect of exercise training and detraining on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (in Japanese J Jpn Orthop Assoc 74 S333

    Google Scholar 

  17. C Simamura J Iwamoto T Takeda S Ichimura H Abe Y Toyama (1999) ArticleTitleEffect of physical activity on bone mass in the exercise trained growing rat (in Japanese J Jpn Orthop Assoc 73 S1894

    Google Scholar 

  18. S Fukuda H Iida S Hyakutake X Yan (2002) ArticleTitlePreventive effects of running exercise on bones in heavy ion particle irradiated rats J Radiat Res 43 IssueIDs1 S233–S238 Occurrence Handle10.1269/jrr.43.S233 Occurrence Handle12793765

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. J Iwamoto T Takeda S Ichimura (1998) ArticleTitleEffects of exercise on bone mineral density in mature osteopenic rats J Bone Miner Res 13 1308–1317 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1czot1ehtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9718200

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. J Iwamoto JK Yeh JF Aloia (1999) ArticleTitleDifferential effects of treadmill exercise on three cancellous bone sites in the young growing rat Bone 24 163–169 Occurrence Handle10.1038/sj.bmt.1702042 Occurrence Handle10455344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. JK Yeh JF Aloia MM Chen JM Tierney S Sprintz (1993) ArticleTitleInfluence of exercise on cancellous bone of the aged female rat J Bone Miner Res 8 1117–1125 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD2Mrot1M%3D Occurrence Handle8237482

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. OR Madsen O Schaadt H Bliddal C Egsmose J Sylvest (1993) ArticleTitleRelationship between quadriceps strength and bone mineral density of the proximal tibia and distal forearm in women J Bone Miner Res 8 1439–1444 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuC3snhsV0%3D Occurrence Handle8304044

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. ES Kyllone HK Vaananen JE Heikkinen E Kurttila-Matero V Martikkala JHV Vanharanta (1991) ArticleTitleComparison of muscle strength and bone mineral density in healthy postmenopausal woman Scand J Rehabil Med 23 153–157 Occurrence Handle1962158

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. CL Zimmerman GL Smidt JS Brooks WJ Kinsey TL Eekhoff (1990) ArticleTitleRelationship of extremity muscle torque and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women Phys Ther 70 302–309 Occurrence Handle2333328

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. JS Halle GL Smidt KD O’Dwyer SY Lin (1990) ArticleTitleRelationship between trunk muscle torque and bone mineral content of the lumbar spine and hip in healthy postmenopausal women Phys Ther 70 690–699 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6D2cnjtFI%3D Occurrence Handle2236212

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. WC Bevier RA Wiswell G Pyka KC Kozac KM Newhall R Marcus (1989) ArticleTitleRelationship of body composition, muscle strength and aerobic capacity to bone mineral in older men and women. J Bone Miner Metab 4 421–432 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaA2cfptFQ%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jyoto Insurance Hospital, 9-13-1 Kameido, Koutou-ku, Tokyo, 136-0071, Japan

    Yoshinobu Hagihara

  2. International Space Radiation Laboratory, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan

    Satoshi Fukuda & Haruzo Iida

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Ichikawa, Japan

    Sumio Goto

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba University of Medicine, Chiba, Japan

    Masashi Yamazaki & Hideshige Moriya

Authors
  1. Yoshinobu Hagihara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Satoshi Fukuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sumio Goto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Haruzo Iida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Masashi Yamazaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hideshige Moriya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yoshinobu Hagihara.

About this article

Cite this article

Hagihara, Y., Fukuda, S., Goto, S. et al. How many days per week should rats undergo running exercise to increase BMD?. J Bone Miner Metab 23, 289–294 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-005-0601-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-005-0601-z

Key words

Search

Navigation