Bone's functional and geometric properties in dystrophin-deficient mice and the efficacy of low intensity vibration training to improve musculoskeletal function

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. March 2013. Major: Kinesiology. Advisor: Dawn A. Lowe. 1 computer file (PDF); x, 171 pages, appendices A-B.Overall, my dissertation work has shown that bone health is affected in dystrophic mice secondary to the muscle disease (Chapter 3), and both prednisolone and physical inactivity accentuate these declines (Chapter 4). I identified two sets of low intensity, high frequency vibration parameters (45 Hz at 0.6 g and 90 Hz at 0.6 g) that initiated an osteogenic response in mdx mice. Further experiments were performed utilizing the 45 Hz and 0.6 g setting, the results of which indicated that vibration was safe for dystrophic muscle (Chapters 5 and 6). However, long-term training adaptations for musculoskeletal function were not realized (Chapter 6). The lack of adaptations following vibration training in mdx or wildtype mice does not negate the utility of vibration as a potential therapeutic exercise modality for DMD, but further research, utilizing alternative strategies, is needed to determine the full extent of vibration's capacity to improve musculoskeletal health