Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisors: Karen L. Rascati and James P. Wilson. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 30, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

The primary purpose of this research study was to cross-validate the risk factors in the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment by Composite Linear Estimate [ORACLE] as a screening tool in a population of healthy U.S. women at various menopausal stages. The secondary purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential use of physical activity history and relevant osteoporosis risk factors to effectively determine current bone status for a mixed menopausal population. Third, the purpose of this study was to compare Omnisense quantitative ultrasound [QUS] and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] diagnostic values of osteopenia/osteoporosis based upon T- and Z-scores. Methods: Fifty-six female subjects (46.1 ± 6.3 years) in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal stages who volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects completed an osteoporosis risk factor and physical activity history questionnaire. Subjects underwent laboratory testing comprised of distal radius quantitative ultrasound scan, dual hip and spine DXA scans, and a one week physical activity assessment. Results: Logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the ability of the ORACLE to predict low BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. There were no significant relationships between the group of ORACLE variables and BMD status at either the femoral neck or lumbar spine. In addition, none of the individual variables (age, BMI, use of HRT therapy, previous fracture, speed of sound [SOS]) were found to be significant predictors of low BMD at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. Notably, SOS measures from the Omnisense QUS were not found to have a strong positive predictive ability, with sensitivity values between 0-20% and specificity values between 81-86% at the femoral neck and lumbar spine. When the cohort was divided into normal and overweight/obese groups, sensitivity and specificity of QUS measures was not improved in the normal BMI group compared to the overweight/obese group. The use of physical activity variables to predict low BMD revealed some relationships trending toward significance, supporting previous research. Linear regression analyses revealed that the individual accelerometry variable of moderate-vigorous non-bout activity counts at the lumbar spine approached significance as a predictor of low BMD (p = 0.081). A significant correlation (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) between steps/day and subjective measures of current weight-bearing activity support the validity of the physical activity recall method for current physical activity. Conclusions: This study found that the ORACLE risk factors were not a valid osteoporosis screening tool in a mixed menopausal population of U.S. women. Secondarily, subjective and objective physical activity measures were non-significant predictors of current low BMD, but greater levels of moderate to vigorous non-bout activity counts trend towards being a significant predictor of higher BMD at the lumbar spine. Finally, results showed that Omnisense QUS measures were not found to be significantly related to DXA measures. Key Words: bone mineral density, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, osteoporosis, physical activity, quantitative ultrasound. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Louisville, 2003. / Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics. Vita. "December 2003." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-46).

Not available / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), bone fragility, and an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. The disease is systemic in nature but potential solutions include exercises prescriptions that target the clinically relevant sites of osteoporosis (hip and spine) to improve bone mass. The aim of this dissertation was to determine if atypical loading and load magnitude increased bone mass at the hip and spine, respectively, in young athletic women. The first study sought to determine if six months of uncustomary loading in the form of a "hip drop", increased BMD at the hip in young women (n=39, aged 20.2 �� 1.3 years). The hip drop applied a direct side impact to the right greater trochanter, the left hip was the control. The second study compared the spine BMD response after six months of rowing training in experienced (n=16, aged 21.2 �� 1.2 years) and novice rowers (n=19, aged 19.5 �� 0.8 years) with a control group (n=14, aged 19.2 �� 1.6 years). Bone mineral density at the hip and spine were measured in the first and second studies, respectively. Results from the first study showed a significant difference in BMD between hips at the femoral neck but there were no side-to-side differences at the greater trochanter or the total hip. The second study revealed that six months of rowing training increased spine BMD in the experienced rowers (2.1%) but not in the novices (-0.05%). / Graduation date: 2002