Affiliations: [a] Cátedra de Fisiología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected] | [b] Departament de Fisiología i Immunología, Universitat de Barcelona, España | [c] Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Carlos E. Bozzini, Marcelo T. de Alvear 2142, Buenos Aires 1122, Argentina. Tel.: 5411-5287-6186; Fax: 5411-5287-6007; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Physical activity plays a tremendous role in determining bone mechanical behavior, which is superimposed to gravidity. OBJECTIVE:Compare the geometric and material responses of the rat femur to a high intensity treadmill running training of a relatively short duration, as assessed by 3-point mechanical test. METHODS:Mature male rats (180.0 ± 30 g) were assigned (7 rats/group) to no exercise (NE) or treadmill exercise (EX). After a preconditioning period, the running speed was set at 45 cm.seg−1 during 2 wks, frequency 5 d/wk, 2-hour sessions/day. Body weight and weight of the crural quadriceps were registered at euthanasia. The right femur was mechanically tested through 3-point bending. The left femur was ashed to estimate bone mineral content. Geometric and material bone properties were estimated directly or calculated by appropriate equations. RESULTS:1) Final body weight was 14% reduced in EX rats, while the crural quadriceps was 47% increased. Yield and fracture loads, and structural stiffness were significantly higher in the EX rats, as were the apparent elastic modulus, the bone mineral content and the degree of mineralization. Geometric properties were not affected. CONCLUSIONS:High intensity treadmill running training increases bone strength and stiffness by increasing material stiffness and mineralization, without affecting geometric bone parameters.
Keywords: Bone biomechanics, treadmill exercise, rat femur, bone strength
