# ENHANCEMENT OF PEAK BONE MASS IN YOUNG WOMEN

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 1989 · $206,577

## Abstract

Osteoporosis is a major health concern for the elderly and has
emerged as a significant public health problem.  The majority of
past research on this condition has been directed toward a
thorough understanding of the disease process, its etiology, and its
pathology.  Research on the primary prevention of osteoporosis
has lagged behind other areas of study.  This dearth of effort is
due, in part, to our previous lack of ability to non-invasively
detect and accurately monitor changes in the skeleton.  Methods
and techniques developed and refined over the past 5 years now
make it possible to monitor the effects of various preventive and
treatment interventions.

One viable strategy for the prevention of osteoporosis and its
associated fractures is the use of systematic exercise and/or
calcium supplementation aimed at building and maintaining peak
bone mass.  We propose to determine if a program of aerobic
exercise in combination with calcium supplementation can
enhance bone mass in a young premenopausal population.  We will
likewise assess the potential benefits of exercise and/or calcium
alone on building peak bone mass.  120 women will be randomized
to one of four groups (i.e.  exercise, exercise plus calcium,
calcium, and control).  Subjects engaging in the exercise portion
will do so three days per week for a total of two years.
Assessment of bone mineral, fitness and endocrine status will be
performed at the outset of the study and every 8 months
thereafter. Quantitative techniques such as single photon
absorptiometry, dual photon absorptiometry, and quantitative
computed tomography will be used to assess skeletal status at
multiple appendicular and axial sites.  The expected result of this
study is a differential skeletal response to the prescribed
regimens as compared to control subjects.  Given the paucity of
information presently available on exercise and calcium in regard
to skeletal health, this study will be a much needed contribution
to the field.  A bank of clinical data will be compiled and
analyzed on bone mass, endocrine, and fitness measurements in a
young female population and act as a basis for designing future
interventions aimed at increasing peak bone mass and improving
skeletal status.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158209
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037562-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KMH5K9V7S518
- **Principal Investigator:** HARRY K GENANT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $206,577
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-02-01 → 1992-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158209

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158209, ENHANCEMENT OF PEAK BONE MASS IN YOUNG WOMEN (5R01AR037562-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158209. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*