Effects of vibration training on bone metabolism: results from a short-term bed rest study

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 May;112(5):1741-50. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2137-3. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Abstract

The absence of mechanical loading leads to a prompt increase in bone resorption measured by bone resorption markers. There is high potential that vibration training can positively influence bone metabolism in immobilized subjects, reduce the increase in osteoclastic activity and increase bone formation processes. We investigated whether vibration training at 20 Hz with an amplitude of 2-4 mm influences bone metabolism during immobilization. Eight male subjects (26.4 ± 4.9 years; 78.1 ± 9.5 kg) performed a 14 day bed rest in 6°-head down tilt (HDT). Subjects received vibration training for 2 × 5 min/day or a control intervention without vibration (crossover design). Calcium excretion and bone resorption markers C-telopeptide (CTX) and N-telopeptide (NTX) were analyzed from 24 h urine samples. Bone formation markers, bone alkaline phosphatase (bAP) and procollagen-N propeptide (PINP) were analyzed from fasting blood samples. Our results show an increase in bone resorption very early during HDT bed rest in both interventions (CTX: p < 0.01; NTX: p < 0.001). Vibration training did not have any different effect on bone resorption markers (CTX: p = 0.10; NTX: p = 0.58), bone formation markers (PINP: p = 0.21; bAP: p = 0.12) and calcium excretion (p < 0.64) compared to the control condition. Mere vibration training with 20 Hz for 2 × 5 min/day does not prevent increase in bone resorption as measured with the described methods in our short-term HDT bed rest.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Bed Rest / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Resorption / metabolism*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism*
  • Calcium / blood
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / urine
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Vibration*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Calcium