Training, Muscle Fatigue, and Stress Fractures.

Abstract

The abrupt increase in physical activity required during basic training frequently leads to stress fractures in the lower limbs of new recruits. During peacetime, stress fractures are the most common physical injury in military populations, and are responsible for the military's greatest drain of both lost recruit time and medical expense. The objective of this three year research program is to study the etiology of the stress fracture lesion. To perform this mission, we have begun two parallel experimental protocols: a) the effect of muscle fatigue on bone strain distributions and, b) the effect of repetitive cyclic loading on bone remodeling. The summation of these two protocols will provide unique insight towards the effect of new strain regimens on skeletal remodeling. The development of an experimental protocol in 4 horses to determine the effect of fatigue and uncoordinated muscle activity on the distribution, magnitude and rate of change of strains developed in vivo within the cannon bone. Experimental methodology includes bone-bonded rosette strain gauges, liquid metal strain gauges attached to tendon, surface and muscle embedded electro-myographs, heart and ventilation frequencies, blood lactate production, maximum oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 15, 1986
Accession Number
ADA178350

Entities

People

  • Clinton T. Rubin

Organizations

  • Tufts University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Basic Training
  • Bone Fractures
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Etiology
  • Frequency
  • Gages
  • Liquid Metals
  • Liquids
  • Musculoskeletal Physiology
  • Peacetime
  • Physical Activity
  • Production
  • Strain Gages
  • Training

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.