Relationship between bone hemodynamics and bone mineral density in healthy young adults

Low bone mineral density is associated with an increased risk for falls in the elderly, corresponding to higher mortality risk. Therefore, the study of low bone mineral density and underlying causes has significant clinical implications. Historically, studies have focused on elderly or diseased populations, one area of research establishing a correlation between bone blood flow and bone mineral density. Since peak bone mineral density is established much earlier, the objective of this study was to establish a relationship between bone blood flow and bone mineral density in a healthy college aged (18-23) population using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). It was hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between bone hemodynamics and bone mineral density. Following approval by the institutional review board, procedures were explained to participants prior to obtaining informed consent. Ultrasound of the right proximal tibia was used to determine optimal placement of the NIRS probe. An occlusion cuff was placed around the upper right quadricep, and the NIRS probe was immobilized over the proximal tibia. A 5-minute total occlusion was initiated with the oxyhemoglobin signal decreasing to a stable value within this time. Upon release of the cuff pressure, the slope of the rising oxyhemoglobin signal during the first 3 seconds was calculated as a measure of reoxygenation rate. The maximal hyperemic response was also determined. Participants then had their right proximal tibia bone mineral density measured via DXA. Regression analysis and ANOVA were performed to establish the relationship between the hemodynamic variables (rate of reoxygenation and the maximum hyperemic response) and bone mineral density, with significance set at p< 0.05. The data showed that for all subjects, there was no significant correlation between the rate of reoxygenation and bone mineral density (p = 0.09). Similarly, there was no statistically significant association between the maximal hyperemic response and bone mineral density (p = 0.22). When separating the data on the basis of sex, females showed a significant relationship between the rate of reoxygenation and bone mineral density (p = 0.036), and the relationship between maximal hyperemic response and bone density was close to reaching significance (p=0.060). Analysis of the data from male participants failed to demonstrate any relationship between hemodynamic values and bone mineral density. The results of this study are mixed, with a significant relationship between bone hemodynamics and bone mineral density demonstrated only in the female participants. As the first study to examine this relationship in a young healthy population, further research is required. This study was supported by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation (Midland, Michigan) This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.