Methodology of activity surveys to estimate mechanical loading on bones in humans

The primary prevention of chronic diseases depends on the availability of cost-efficient screening methods that have sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect biologically relevant risk factors for future clinical outcomes. Bone health and the risk for osteoporosis is a growing public health concern globally. Because physical activity during the lifespan is associated with improved bone health in women and men, the availability of a bone-loading questionnaire that reflects patterns of physical activity, biomechanics, and skeletal response to exercise would allow for epidemiologic studies needed to identify associations between physical activity and bone health among gender, age, and race/ethnicity groups.