High-impact exercise and growing bone: Relation between high strain rates and enhanced bone formation

We investigated whether high-impact drop jumps could increase bone formation in the middiaphyseal tarsometatarsus of growing rooster. Roosters were designated as sedentary controls (n = 10) or jumpers (n = 10). Jumpers performed 200 drop jumps per day for 3 wk. The mechanical milieu of the tarsometatarsus was quantified via in vivo strain gauges. Indexes of bone formation and mechanical parameters were determined in each of twelve 30°sectors subdividing the middiaphyseal cortex. Compared with baseline walking, drop jumping produced large peak strain rates (+740%) in the presence of moderately increased peak strain magnitudes (+30%) and unaltered strain distributions. Bone formation rates were significantly increased by jump training at periosteal (+40%) and endocortical surfaces (+370%). Strain rate was significantly correlated with the specific sites of increased formation rates at endocortical but not at periosteal surfaces. Previously, treadmill running did not enhance bone growth in this model. Comparing the mechanical milieus produced by running and drop jumps revealed that jumping significantly elevated only peak strain rates. This further emphasized the sensitivity of immature bone to high strain rates.