Influence of treadmill training on bone structure under osteometabolic alteration in rats subjected to high-fat diet

Nutrition and physical training have important roles in the accumulation and maintenance of bone mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in ovariectomized rats (OVX), the effects of treadmill training (T) with high-fat diet (F) on weight gain and bone tissue properties with eight groups (n = 10) for 12 weeks: OVX SC (OVX, sedentary lifestyle, diet control); OVX SF; OVX TC; OVX TF; SH SC (SHAM, sedentary lifestyle, diet control); SH SF; SH TC; and SH TF. Weekly weight gain and final body composition were assessed. After euthanasia, tibiae were analyzed. The trained animals had higher body weight (P = 0.001), bone mineral density (P < 0.001), and trabecular bone (P < 0.001). The animals with a high-fat diet showed higher global fat (P < 0.001), percentage of global fat (P < 0.001) and deformation at impact (P = 0.031) and reduced tibial bone mineral content (P = 0.036). Physical training improves bone microarchitecture, without presenting an increase in impact resistance, and a high-fat diet increases body fat and impairs bone mineralization.