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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-12-2013 | Original Article

Effect of chronic activity-based therapy on bone mineral density and bone turnover in persons with spinal cord injury

Authors: Todd Anthony Astorino, Eric T. Harness, Kara A. Witzke

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 12/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Osteoporosis is a severe complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). Many exercise modalities are used to slow bone loss, yet their efficacy is equivocal. This study examined the effect of activity-based therapy (ABT) targeting the lower extremities on bone health in individuals with SCI.

Methods

Thirteen men and women with SCI (age and injury duration = 29.7 ± 7.8 and 1.9 ± 2.7 years) underwent 6 months of ABT. At baseline and after 3 and 6 months of training, blood samples were obtained to assess bone formation (serum procollagen type 1 N propeptide (PINP) and bone resorption (serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), and participants underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans to obtain total body and regional estimates of bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

Results demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in spine BMD (+4.8 %; 1.27 ± 0.22–1.33 ± 0.24 g/cm²) and decreases (p < 0.01) in total hip BMD (−6.1 %; 0.98 ± 0.18–0.91 ± 0.16 g/cm²) from 0 to 6 months of training. BMD at the bilateral distal femur (−7.5 to −11.0 %) and proximal tibia (− 8.0 to −11.2 %) declined but was not different (p > 0.05) versus baseline. Neither PINP nor CTX was altered (p > 0.05) with training.

Conclusions

Chronic activity-based therapy did not reverse bone loss typically observed soon after injury, yet reductions in BMD were less than the expected magnitude of decline in lower extremity BMD in persons with recent SCI.

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Title: Effect of chronic activity-based therapy on bone mineral density and bone turnover in persons with spinal cord injury
Authors: Todd Anthony Astorino
Eric T. Harness
Kara A. Witzke
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 12/2013
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2738-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effect of chronic activity-based therapy on bone mineral density and bone turnover in persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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