Table 3. Multivariate analysis of biochemical bone markers between the feeding groups.

	Normal range	Short BF	SEM	Intermediate BF	SEM	Prolonged BF	SEM	P
Whole group		n = 34		n = 36		n = 36
BALP (U/L)		29.4	1.8	29.4	2.0	26.1	2.0	0.38
Osteocalcin (µ/L)	4.9–30.9 (F) 3.2–39.6 (M)	20.5	1.3	20.0	1.4	19.50	1.4	0.91
PINP (µ/L)	19–84	49.1	2.4	48.6	2.6	46.1	2.6	0.85
ICTP (µ/L)	1.5–5	3.7	0.2	3.4	0.3	3.3	0.3	0.53
NTX (nmol/mmol)	<65	46.9	4.3	48.7	4.7	50.7	4.7	0.97
Males		n = 22		n = 16		n = 19
BALP (U/L)		32.9	2.5	32.6	2.7	27.6	2.6	0.29
Osteocalcin (µ/L)	3.2–39.6	22.0	2.0	20.2	2.2	17.2	2.1	0.55
PINP (µ/L)	19–84	51.4	3.2	51.3	3.6	44.1	3.7	0.29
ICTP (µ/L)	1.5–5	3.9	0.4	3.2	0.5	3.0	0.5	0.32
NTX (nmol/mmol)	<65	46.6	7.8	54.3	8.6	56.2	8.1	0.89
Females		n = 21		n = 20		n = 17
BALP (U/L)		24.8	2.9	26.6	2.9	25.8	3.2	0.91
Osteocalcin (µ/L)	4.9–30.9	20.2	1.8	19.5	1.8	21.0	2.0	0.87
PINP (µ/L)	19–84	47.5	3.9	46.1	4.0	47.9	4.4	0.95
ICTP (µ/L)	1.5–5	3.7	0.2	3.6	0.2	3.7	0.2	0.93
NTX (nmol/mmol)	<65	42.9	4.7	44.6	4.7	49.2	5.2	0.67

The covariates used were for the whole group BMI, current physical activity, and gender; for males BMI, calcium intake and current physical activity; for females BMI, current physical activity, and alcohol consumption. BALP  =  bone specific alkaline phosphatase; PINP  =  procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide; ICTP  =  C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen; NTX  =  N-telopeptide; SEM  =  standard error of mean.