NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Hindlimb suspension diminishes femoral cross-sectional growth in the ratGrowth, functional adaptation, and torsional strength were examined in the femora of 39-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to hindlimb suspension for 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks and were compared with measurements for age-matched control animals. Our goal was to understand the effect of reduced loading on the normal age-related changes in femoral properties during growth. The control animals exhibited growth-related increases in all geometric and torsional properties of the femur. The mean body mass and femoral length of the hindlimb-suspended rats were similar to those of the controls throughout the experiment. Over 4 weeks, the femoral cross-sectional and torsional measurements from the hindlimb-suspended rats demonstrated increases in comparison with the basal values (+33% cross-sectional area, +64% polar moment of inertia, +67% ultimate torque, and +181% torsional rigidity), but the age-matched controls showed significantly greater growth-related increases (+71% cross-sectional area, +136% polar moment of inertia, +127% ultimate torque, and +367% torsional rigidity). The differences in femoral structural strength between the hindlimb-suspended animals and the age-matched controls were attributable to differences in altered cross-sectional geometry.
Document ID
20040182738
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
van der Meulen, M. C.
(Veterans Affairs Medical Center Palo Alto, CA 94304-1200, United States)
Morey-Holton, E. R.
Carter, D. R.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0736-0266
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal
NASA Center ARC

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available