RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

REsistance and LOADing Exercise for Bone Health

Many men who have lost a lower leg below the knee, often due to accidents or military service, find that their hip bones become weaker over time. This can increase their risk of breaking a hip, especially as they use a prosthetic leg. While exercise is known to help bone strength in others, it hasn't been studied much for people with amputations. This research will test if a new, supervised home exercise programme, involving resistance exercises and jumping, is safe and practical for these men. It's a small first step to see if these exercises could eventually help strengthen their bones and reduce fracture risk in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, UK

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Amputation of Lower Limb Below Knee Amputation, Traumatic Amputation, Limb Loss

What is this study about?

When someone loses a lower leg below the knee, for example, from an injury during military service or a road accident, it often changes how their body puts weight and pressure on their bones. This can lead to their hip bones becoming weaker over time, which doctors call reduced bone mineral density. Weaker bones mean a higher risk of breaking a hip, and this risk can be even greater for people who use a prosthetic (artificial) leg because they might be more likely to fall.

While we know that certain exercises, like lifting weights or jumping, can help make bones stronger in many people, this hasn't really been looked at specifically for those with a lower limb amputation. This new study wants to find out if a special exercise programme can help address this issue. It's an important first step because if we can find safe and effective ways to keep bones strong, it could significantly improve the health and quality of life for many people living with an amputation.

This research project will test a new exercise plan designed for people to do at home, with guidance given remotely (like through video calls). The main goal is to see if this programme is practical to do and if it's safe. It’s not about finding out if it definitely makes bones stronger yet – that will come later if this initial study is successful. The results of this study will help plan bigger studies in the future, which could eventually lead to better exercise programmes for both military and civilian amputees to keep their bones healthy.

Key takeaways

This study explores new exercises for bone health in men with a lower leg amputation.
It aims to make bones stronger and reduce the risk of hip fractures.
The 10-week programme involves home-based resistance and jumping exercises.
Supervision is provided remotely (e.g., via video calls) to ensure safety.
It's a small first step to see if the programme is safe and practical for future, larger studies.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for a small group of around 10 men who fit a very specific set of requirements. To be considered, you must have previously served in the British Armed Forces and already be part of a larger study called the ADVANCE Study. You need to be male, aged between 18 and 55 years old, and have lost one leg below the knee due to an injury (not an illness like diabetes or blood vessel problems).

It's important that you use your prosthetic leg every day for most of the day, have been using it for at least six months, and can walk on it independently. You should also be able to do some jumping activities with your prosthetic leg. You'll need to speak English, have internet access for video calls, and be able to travel to a testing location. Your remaining leg needs to be healthy, without any pain or other issues that might affect walking, and you shouldn't have any other serious health conditions like heart problems or diabetes. You also can't have other bone conditions apart from general bone thinning.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a man, aged 18-55, who has served in the British Armed Forces?
Are you already part of the ADVANCE Study?
Did you lose one leg below the knee due to an injury (not illness)?
Do you use your prosthetic leg every day and can you walk and jump on it?
Do you have internet access and no other serious health conditions that would prevent exercise?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, it will last for a total of 10 weeks. In the first week, you’ll have an initial assessment to measure your hip muscle strength and how you move, using special equipment. For the next 8 weeks (from week 2 to week 9), you’ll follow an exercise programme twice a week at home. This will involve exercises like squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses, as well as jumping activities.

During your exercise sessions, you'll receive guidance. In the first week of exercises, a supervisor will check in with you remotely twice, and then once a week for the rest of the exercise programme. After the 8 weeks of exercise, you’ll have a final assessment in week 10, similar to the first one, to see if there have been any changes. You'll also need to monitor yourself for any falls or issues and let the study team know.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include gaining knowledge about effective exercises for bone health and improved strength, which may positively impact your overall well-being. However, there's no guarantee that your bones will get stronger from this specific study, as this study is mainly looking at whether the programme is safe and practical. Like any exercise programme, there’s a risk of muscle soreness or, in rare cases, injury. The study team will monitor you closely to minimise these risks. You are free to stop taking part in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall
Verified postcode
Loughborough, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'bone mineral density'?

It's a measure of how strong and dense your bones are. Higher density usually means stronger bones, less likely to break.

What kind of exercises will I be doing?

You'll be doing resistance exercises like squats and deadlifts, and impact exercises like different kinds of jumps, all at home.

How often will I exercise?

You'll exercise twice a week for 8 weeks. For the first week of exercise, you'll have two remote check-ins, then one check-in per week after that.

Do I need to go to a clinic often?

No, most of the exercise will be done at home. You'll only need to visit a testing location for your initial and final assessments, and to get your exercise equipment.

Will this study definitely make my bones stronger?

This first study is mainly checking if the exercise programme is safe and practical. It's an important step before a bigger study can prove if it makes bones stronger.

How to find out more

Higher Scientific Officer, PhD

marina.devecchis100@mod.gov.uk +44 (0)1509 251500 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.