Experts called the results encouraging and of interest to young female athletes as well as women in the military.
''What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time,'' said lead researcher Joan Lappe. ''Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks.''
Stress fractures are the most common type of injury seen in military trainees, particularly women, and are also prevalent in some athletes.
Dr. Murray J. Favus, the director of the University of Chicago's bone program, often sees stress fractures among young, active women.
The study ''clearly demonstrates that a simple intervention using calcium and vitamin D have significant benefits in reducing the rates of stress fractures. This is very encouraging,'' he said.
AP
