Archive: July 2006

A bonafide athlete

An active lifestyle that includes running, hiking and raising two boys doesn't stop Dr. Laura McCabe from her work: bones and NASA

There are skeletons in Laura McCabe's closet. And if she has her way, the whole world (and maybe some others) will know about them, and how important bones are to our health. McCabe, who is an associate professor of physiology and radiology at Michigan State University, is a running, hiking, anything-outdoor-as-long-as-you're-active mother of two boys, who also happens to be working on ways to improve space travel for astronauts.

Her passion is studying bones, finding out why bones lose their density, and determining ways to keep that from happening. It's something that has the attention of NASA, who counts on McCabe's research to keep astronauts healthy on long (think Mars) trips.

Out of this world, isn't it?

"When you are in outer space, you lose bone mass because there is no impact," she said. In one month an astronaut can lose the same amount of bone mass as a post-menopausal woman does in a year."

McCabe explained that gravity on earth causes bone density to increase. Tennis players have thicker bone mass in the arm they use to strike a ball, runners have stronger leg bones due to the repeated strides they take during a run.

"Bones cells need oxygen and nutrition, but no one knows how exactly, force stimulates bone growth," she said. "There's a theory that impact forces fluid through bones, feeding and delivering oxygen to the bone cells to help them do their job—build and strengthen our bones."

If that's the case, McCabe has some strong leg bones herself. She's an active runner, putting in four to five miles during her weekday workouts, with longer runs up to 12 miles on the weekend.

"Running is a great stress release and I have a chance to clear my mind. I like the mid-day runs. I come back ready to work," she said. "Running is so good for the body, and for your bones and general well being. Based on my research, and that of others, I run for skeletal health, but I also run to stimulate ideas for my research. I think it gives me a little scientific edge."

Family life

David McCabe, 45, Laura's husband, has competed in triathlons, cycles, swims and is starting to get back into running. He also does the cooking, using plenty of fresh ingredients (fruits, vegetables) for his family. Her oldest son, Ian, 13, has also competed in mini-triathlons and is on a cross-country team, track, soccer and swim teams. Quinn, 10, plays soccer, swims and is currently playing baseball. "On Sundays we all try to run one to three miles together," McCabe said.

The family also likes to hike. They've trekked the lava tubes in Oregon, the Redwood Forest in California, trails in the Everglades, the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina and the Bad Lands in South Dakota, among other most notable trails.

"I love to be with my family and be active," McCabe said.