title: Evaluation of a dual-scales method to measure weight-bearing through the legs, and effects of weight-bearing inequalities on hip bone mineral density and leg lean tissue mass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate: the accuracy of measuring relative left/right weight-bearing using two identically calibrated weighing scales; the short-term weight-bearing tendencies in a general population of 9 participants and long-term in 42 females; the effect weight-bearing inequalities on hip bone mineral density and leg lean tissue mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were measured standing astride two scales. Short-term volunteers were measured 10 times on one visit, with repositioning between measurements and the long-term group were measured on three visits at 6 month intervals. Baseline bilateral hip and total body Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scans were performed on the long-term group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The short-term Coefficient of Variation is 5.41% and long-term 7.01%. No significant correlations were found between hip bone density differences and weight-bearing inequalities, although a weak correlation of r = 0.31 (p = 0.047) was found for differences in leg lean tissue mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left/right weight-bearing measured using two scales is a consistent method for evaluating weight distribution through the legs. The short- and long-term weight-bearing tendencies showed a similar degree of variation. Weight-bearing inequalities were not associated with any significant left/right differences in bone mineral density at the hip, but were weakly associated with left-right differences in leg muscle mass.
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom. sjh217@exeter.ac.uk
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toms
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Welsman
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult