Effects of treadmill running at different intensities on three-dimensional structure of rat subchondral bones / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of treadmill running at different intensities on three-dimensional structure of rat subchondral bones.Methods A total of 24 female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into a sedentary (SED) group,a low-intensity running (LIR) group,a medium-intensity running (MIR) group,or a high-intensity running (HIR) group,each of 6.Rats in LIR,MIR and HIR groups underwent treadmill running exercises with respective protocol,while rats in SED group serve as controls.Eight weeks later,all animals were sacrificed and their proximal end of tibia was examined using Micro-CT.Results Compared with SED group,in HIR group the subchondral plate became thicker with higher BMD and lower porosity,while trabecular bone became more and denser with higher BMD and a more plate-like architecture.LIR and MIR failed to result in considerable changes in the microstructure.Conclusion Treadmill running has an intensity-dependent effect on the three-dimensional structures of subchondral bones.High-intensity running can evoke significant structural changes in subchondral bones.