Determinants of Stress Fracture and Bone Mass in Elite Military Cadets
Abstract
The determinants of peak bone mass and stress fracture risk are of both immediate and long-term interest to the military community. Research in these areas is being conducted on the class of 2002 over a four-year period at the United States Military Academy. In this study we have recruited 891 cadets (752 males and 139 females). The data collected to date include baseline historical information (including dietary calcium intake, menstrual function and past fracture history), baseline blood samples, baseline and year 1 bone densitometry, and interval surveys over the first year at USMA regarding physical activity, menstrual function and dietary habits as well as stress fracture occurrence. The bone densitometry tools used included peripheral Dual x ray absorptiometry (Lunar PIXI) for heel measurements (n=880), peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (Norland pQCT) which measures total and cortical tibial bone density (n=7) and a mobile central dual x ray absorptiometer (Lunar DPX-IQ) for bone density of the lumbar spine and hip (n=300). Calcaneal BMD was on average one standard deviation higher BMD in both male and female cadets then the age and gender matched general population. Determinants of heel BMD included normal menses in female and exercise levels and milk consumption in male cadets. Women had a higher incidence of stress fracture (12.2% versus 3.5% in males during 9 months at USMA). The etiology for stress fractures for males and females appeared to differ. In women with fractures, BMD at the heel, spine and hip were all lower than in women without fractures. In men, heel BMD did not discriminate cadets with fracture versus those without, however, cortical thickness of the tibia was a major predictor of stress fracture risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA369280
Entities
People
- Felicia Cosman