Short-termed changes in quantitative ultrasound estimated bone density among young men in an 18-weeks follow-up during their basic training for the Swiss Armed Forces

PeerJ

article

Michael Strässle¹  Jonas Grossmann⁴  Patrick Eppenberger²  Alexander Faas⁶  Ivanka Jerkovic⁶  Joël Floris²  Lena Öhrström²  Gülfirde Akgül²  Lafi Aldakak²  Frank Rühli²  Nicole Bender²  Kaspar Staub² 

[1]Kantonsspital St. Gallen

[2]Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich

[3]Medical Faculty, University of Zürich

[4]Functional Genomics Center Zurich

[5]SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics

[6]Swiss Armed Forces

[7]Center for Integrative Human Physiology ,(ZIHP), University of Zurich

关键词: Bone health;    Follow-up;    Young adults;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.15205

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Background Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) methods have been widely used to assess estimated bone density. This study aimed to assess changes in estimated bone density in association with changes in body composition, physical activity, and anthropometry. Methods We examined changes in anthropometry, body composition, and physical activity associated with changes in estimated bone mineral density (measured using quantitative ultrasound with a heel ultrasound device indicating broadband ultrasound attenuation BUA and speed of sound SOS) in a follow-up sample of n = 73 young men at the beginning and again 18 weeks later at the end of basic military training. Results At the end of the basic training, the subjects were on average significantly heavier (+1.0%), slightly taller (+0.5%) and had a higher fat mass (+6.6%) and grip strength (+8.6%). A significant decrease in mean physical activity (−49.5%) and mean estimated bone density calculated with BUA (−7.5%) was observed in the paired t-test. The results of the multivariable linear regressions (backward selection) show that changes in skeletal muscle mass (delta = 2nd measurement minus 1st measurement) have negative and body weight (delta) have positive association with the speed of sound SOS (delta), while fat mass (delta) and physical activity (delta) had the strongest negative associations with estimated bone mineral density (delta). In particular, we found a negative association between fat mass (delta) and estimated bone mineral density (delta, estimated with BUA). Conclusion Our study suggests that estimated bone density from the calcaneus can change within a few months even in young and mostly healthy individuals, depending upon physical activity levels and other co-factors. Further studies including other troop types as control groups as well as on women should follow in order to investigate this public health relevant topic in more depth. To what extent the estimated bone density measurement with quantitative ultrasound is clinically relevant needs to be investigated in further studies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY