Analysis of Calcaneal Bone Mineral Density (cBMD) in Healthy College Students.
Jason E Bennett, Tricia M Austin, Ann M Hayes and 1 others
PMID 35136691WHAT IT FOUND
Healthy college women had lower heel bone density than female athletes, but activity levels did not predict density.
Earlier menstruation linked to higher density, while amenorrhea linked to stress fractures. Men showed no density difference between athletes and non-athletes.
Key findings
01Self-reported physical activity levels were not associated with calcaneal bone mineral density or speed of sound in healthy college students.
02Female healthy college students had significantly lower calcaneal bone mineral density and speed of sound than female intercollegiate athletes, but male groups showed no significant difference.
03Earlier age of menarche was associated with higher bone density, and a history of amenorrhea was associated with a history of stress fractures in females.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study used a convenience sample of students at one institution, limiting generalizability. Physical activity was self-reported and may not accurately capture the specific types of loading needed to stimulate bone growth. History of bone stress injury was based on recall, which is susceptible to bias. The comparison group of athletes was from a different time period, introducing potential variability in measurement conditions. The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that activity or menstrual history caused the changes in bone density.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that increasing general physical activity will automatically improve heel bone density in healthy college students, as the study found no association between self-reported activity levels and bone density measures.