Peak power and body mass as indices of bone loading in a healthy adult population

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether a common,
non-invasive, muscular fitness field test was a better predictor of bone
strength compared to body mass.  Methods: Hierarchical multiple
regression analyses were used to determine the amount of variance that
peak power explained for bone strength of the tibia compared to body mass.
Peak power was estimated from maximal vertical jump height using Sayer’s
equation. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans were used to
assess bone strength measures.  Results: Peak power (ꞵ=0.541,
p<0.001) contributed more to the unique variance in bone strength
index for compression compared to body mass (ꞵ=-0.102, p=0.332). For polar
strength strain index, the beta coefficient for body mass remained
significant (ꞵ=0.257, p<0.006), however, peak power’s contribution
was similar (ꞵ=0.213, p= 0.051). Conclusion: Compared to body mass, peak
power was a better predictor for trabecular bone strength but similar to
body mass for cortical bone strength. These data provide additional
support for the development of a vertical jump test as a simple,
objective, valid and reliable measure to monitor bone strength among youth
and adult populations.