Purpose: To investigate the skeletal effects of the first all-female trans-Antarctic traverse. Methods: Six women (mean ± SD, age 32 ±3 years, height 1.72 ± 0.07m, body mass 72.8 ± 4.0kg) hauled 80kg sledges over 1700km in 61days from coast-to-coast across the Antarctic. Whole-body areal bone mineral density (aBMD) (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and tibial volumetric BMD (vBMD), geometry, microarchitecture and estimated mechanical properties (high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography) were assessed 39 days before (pre-expedition) and 15 days after the expedition (post-expedition). Serum and plasma markers of bone turnover were assessed pre-expedition, and 4 and 15 days after the expedition. Results: There were reductions in trunk (−2.6%), ribs (−5.0%) and spine (−3.4%) a BMD from pre-to post-expedition (all P≤0.046); arms, legs, pelvis and total body a BMD were not different (all P≥0.075). Tibial v BMD, geometry, microarchitecture and estimated mechanical properties at the metaphysis (4% site) and diaphysis (30% site) were not different between pre-and post-expedition (all P≥0.082). Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was higher 15days post-than 4 days post-expedition (1.7 μg∙l−1, P=0.028). Total 25(OH) D decreased from pre-to 4 dayspost expedition (−36nmol∙l−1,P=0.008).Sclerostin,procollagen1N-terminal propeptide, C-telopeptide cross-links of type 1 collagen and adjusted calcium were unchanged (allP≥0.154). Conclusion: Adecline in a BMD of the axial skeleton maybe due to indirect and direct effects of prolonged energy deficit. We propose that weight-bearing exercise was protective against the effects of energy deficit on tibial v BMD, geometry, microarchitecture and strength.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)