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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Effect of activity and age on long bones using a new densitometric technique
Tammy M Cleek1, Robert T Whalen
1School of Informatics and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. Tammy.Cleek@flinders.edu.au
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 2, 2005
Summary
Recreational running increases long bone strength in women, indicated by higher cross-sectional area and moments of inertia in the tibia. Age did not affect these bone structural parameters.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Bone Physiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Long bone structural parameters, such as cross-sectional area and moments of inertia, are crucial indicators of bone mechanical properties.
- Accurate in vivo measurement of these parameters is essential for understanding bone health and adaptation.
- Previous methods lacked the precision required for detailed in vivo analysis of lower leg long bones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and validate a three-scan densitometric method for measuring in vivo long bone structural parameters in the lower leg.
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and age with long bone structural parameters in women.
- To establish confidence limits for the accuracy and precision of the developed measurement technique.
Main Methods:
- A three-scan densitometric approach was employed to measure structural parameters of the tibia and fibula in vivo.
- Accuracy was assessed using an aluminum phantom, and in vivo precision was determined through repeated measures on human subjects.
- The study included women aged 25-35 and 60+ years, categorized as recreational runners or nonrunners, with scans of the lower right leg.
Main Results:
- The densitometric method demonstrated good accuracy, with underestimation of cross-sectional area by 4-6% and principal moments by <5%.
- In vivo precision showed low coefficients of variation for cross-sectional area (0.52%), principal moments of inertia (5.87%, 2.22%), and polar moment of inertia (3.82%).
- Recreational runners exhibited significantly higher adjusted tibial cross-sectional area and moments of inertia compared to nonrunners; age showed no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- The validated three-scan densitometric method provides accurate and precise in vivo measurements of long bone structural parameters.
- Higher mechanical loads from running are associated with increased tibial cross-sectional parameters, enhancing support against axial loads, bending, and torsion.
- This method offers a reliable tool for future research on bone adaptation to physical activity and aging in women.
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