Work

Genetic risk scores are related to bone microarchitecture in US Army basic training

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In 2,550 US Army trainees undergoing basic combat training, genetic risk scores were associated with tibial volumetric BMD and microarchitecture measured by HR-pQCT. These effects persisted in skeletally mature young adults under intense mechanical loading and across ancestry groups. In contrast, vitamin D-related genetic variants were not associated with skeletal traits or adaptation. Large-scale validation in this well-characterized cohort strengthens evidence linking established bone loci to microarchitectural phenotypes.

Source: Journal of Applied Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00181.2026