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Anterior–posterior bending strength at the tibial shaft increases with physical activity in boys: evidence for non-uniform geometric adaptation

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Abstract

Summary

We investigated bone structural adaptations to a 16-month school-based physical activity intervention in 202 young boys using a novel analytical method for peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of the tibial mid-shaft. Our intervention effectively increased bone bending strength in the anterior–posterior plane as estimated with the maximum second moment of area (Imax).

Introduction

We previously reported positive effects of a physical activity intervention on peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)-derived bone strength at the tibial mid-shaft in young boys. The present study further explored structural adaptations to the intervention using a novel method for pQCT analysis.

Methods

Participants were 202 boys (aged 9–11 years) from 10 schools randomly assigned to control (CON, 63 boys) and intervention (INT, 139 boys) groups. INT boys participated in 60 min/week of classroom physical activity, including a bone-loading program. We used ImageJ to process pQCT images of the tibial mid-shaft and determine the second moments of area (Imax, Imin) and cortical area (CoA) and thickness (CTh) by quadrant (anterior, medial, lateral, posterior). We defined quadrants according to pixel coordinates about the centroid. We used mixed linear models to compare change in bone outcomes between groups.

Results

The INT boys had a 3% greater gain in Imax than the CON boys (p = 0.04) and tended to have a greater gain in Imin (∼2%, NS). Associated with the greater gain in Imax was a slightly greater (NS) gain (1–1.4%) in CoA and CTh in the anterior, medial, and posterior (but not lateral) quadrants.

Conclusion

Our results suggest regional variation in bone adaptation consistent with patterns of bone formation induced by anterior–posterior bending loads.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the participation of the principals, teachers, children, and their parents from the ten volunteer schools. Thanks also to Bryna Kopelow, Jennifer Fenton, and the JW Sporta team for their considerable input and expertise on design and delivery of the intervention model. We also appreciate the invaluable assistance of Dr. David Thomas in the development of the quadrant-based analysis macro and we thank Dr. Christopher Ruff for making the MomentMacro available. We acknowledge funding support from the BC Ministry of Health, 2010 Legacies Now, Provincial Health Services Authority, The National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Professor McKay is a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Senior Scholar.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    H. M. Macdonald

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    D. M. L. Cooper

  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    H. A. McKay

  4. UBC Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Hip Health and Musculoskeletal Research, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, 302–2647 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3P1, Canada

    H. A. McKay

Authors
  1. H. M. Macdonald
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  2. D. M. L. Cooper
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  3. H. A. McKay
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Correspondence to H. A. McKay.

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Macdonald, H.M., Cooper, D.M.L. & McKay, H.A. Anterior–posterior bending strength at the tibial shaft increases with physical activity in boys: evidence for non-uniform geometric adaptation. Osteoporos Int 20, 61–70 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0636-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0636-9

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