Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
16
The Effects of Endurance Running
Training on Young Adult Bone:
Densitometry vs. Biomaterial Properties
Tsang-Hai Huang
1
, Ming-Yao Chang
2
,
Kung-Tung Chen
3
,
Sandy S. Hsieh
4
and Rong-Sen Yang
5
1
Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies,
National Cheng Kung University, Tainan,
2
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
3
College of Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences,
Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu
4
Graduate Institute of Exercise and Sport Science,
National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei
5
Department of Orthopaedics, National Taiwan University & Hospital, Taipei,
Taiwan
1. Introduction
Densitometric measurement of bone mineral parameters has been developed in recent
decades. Since bone strength is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and/or bone
mineral content (BMC), densitometric measurement is widely accepted and used as one
golden standard in clinical settings to determine bone health. Based on this concept, some
human studies have suggested that endurance training, such as long distance running,
provides no benefit and may even be harmful to bone health or bone mineral accretion
during development, since long distance runners often have low BMD and/or BMC and
may even exhibit conditions associated with bone loss or osteopenia.
1, 2
Conversely, serum
bone marker assays in healthy distance runners show normal or positive bone metabolism
status.
3, 4
Therefore, the definite role of endurance running training (ERT) on bone health
remains a controversial issue. It would be valuable to further clarify whether ERT benefits
bone health through a pathway other than absolutely increasing BMD or BMC.
Clinical observations of human subjects require further basic studies to investigate possible
mechanisms. Animal studies can provide unique ways not feasible in studies using human
subjects of assessing the effects of endurance running on bone. Generally, previous animal
studies further verified benefits of ERT to bone health. However, the limitations of animal
studies must be clarified before applying their findings to human beings.
The present article reviews the phenomena shown in bone of adolescent or young adult
distance runners. Moreover, previous animal studies which adopted growing and young
adult rats as subjects are reviewed, and the applicability of the findings to humans is also
discussed.
