Impact Loading Effect on Bone Biomarkers in Female Runners

The Effect of Impact Loading on Bone Biomarkers in Energy-Restricted Female Runners

This study is a randomized, cross-over intervention study that will evaluate the effect of brief, high-impact loading exercises on biomarkers of bone metabolism in energy-restricted female runners. Volunteers will complete two 5-day experimental conditions in a randomized order separated by one menstrual cycle (approximately 3 weeks). Experimental conditions will include a dietary intervention of energy intake equal to 30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass/d using controlled diets and an exercise intervention of daily treadmill running with or without an additional 50 impact loading exercises.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Impact Load Exercises; Behavioral: No Impact Load Exercises

Detailed Description

Many long-distance runners struggle to consume enough calories each day to match the number of calories they are burning during exercise and as part of daily living. Undereating for long periods of time is a serious concern because it can have negative effects on general health and sports performance. One of these long-term consequences is related to bone health. With undereating, bone can start to be broken down faster than it can be rebuilt. Even though it can take months, and even years, for bone to be seriously affected, this may lead to weak and brittle bones later in life, if it is left untreated. Typically, athletes are recommended to increase the number of calories they eat to prevent negative health concerns. However, not all athletes may be willing or able to increase their calories based on their performance goals, nutrition knowledge, or concerns with food security. This means that alternative strategies need to be investigated to counteract the negative effects of undereating on bone health. This study proposes to evaluate the effect of adding short bouts of high-impact jumping exercises to typical endurance training to promote healthy bone metabolism. This will specifically involve completing two phases of a supervised treadmill run and consuming a reduced-calorie diet (provided by the research team) on 5 consecutive days. In addition, one of the phases will include performing 5 sets of 10 jumping exercises on 5 consecutive days in addition to the treadmill run. Results of the study will serve as an important first step in helping exercise and medical professionals understand more about how to protect and manage the bone health of female long-distance runners.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 14
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Virginia
    • Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, 24061
      • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Females runners with regular menstrual cycles, not using contraceptives
• Body Mass Index between 18.5-30.0 kg/m2
• Weight stable (+/- 2 kg) for 6 months
• VO2max of ≥35 ml/kg/min
• Willing to consume provided meals and snacks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) score ≥8
• Menstrual disturbances measured by progesterone and self-report
• Using contraceptives (oral contraceptives, injections, intrauterine device, etc.)
• Low Bone Mineral Density (z-score < -1)
• Routine engagement in mechanical loading exercises
• History of fracture in the previous 6 months
• Recent recovery (within the last 12 months) or still in recovery after eating disorder diagnosis
• Medication use that could affect bone metabolism (e.g., corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, heparin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Endurance and Jumping Exercises; 5 days of endurance treadmill running and 5 sets of 10 jumping exercises	Behavioral: Impact Load Exercises; Participants will complete 50-65 min running protocol on treadmill and 5 sets of 10 jumping exercises for 5 consecutive days. Participants will also be provided all meals and snacks to induce a energy-restricted state for the 5-day period.
Active Comparator: Endurance Exercise Only; 5 days of endurance treadmill running	Behavioral: No Impact Load Exercises; Participants will complete only a 50-65 min running protocol on treadmill for 5 consecutive days. Participants will also be provided all meals and snacks to induce a energy-restricted state for the 5-day period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Bone Remodeling Biomarker - N-terminal Propeptide of Type 1 Procollagen	Plasma N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (PINP) was collected from fasted blood samples drawn before and after each 5-day intervention. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed on all samples upon study completion.	10-minute blood draw in laboratory; samples assessed on intervention day 0 and day 6
Change in Bone Remodeling Biomarker - C-terminal Telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen (CTX)	Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) was collected from fasted blood samples drawn before and after each 5-day intervention. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed on all samples upon study completion.	10-minute blood draw in laboratory; samples assessed on intervention day 0 and day 6
Change in Blood Metabolic Marker - Parathyroid Hormone	Parathyroid hormone levels were measured from fasted blood samples collected before and after each 5-day intervention. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed on all samples upon study completion.	10-minute blood draw in laboratory; samples assessed on intervention day 0 and day 6
Change in Blood Metabolic Marker - Insulin-like Growth Factor-1	Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) concentration was measured from fasted blood samples collected before and after each 5-day intervention. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed on all samples upon study completion.	10-minute blood draw in laboratory; samples assessed on intervention day 0 and day 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Ferritin	Fasted serum ferritin was measured before and after each 5-day intervention period.	10-minute blood draw in laboratory; samples assessed on intervention day 0 and day 6

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Enette Larson-Meyer, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 24, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 23, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): April 12, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): April 22, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 17, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Endurance exercise; Bone metabolism; Low energy availability; Jump training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
• Other Study ID Numbers: 22-168

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No