The military should continue to gather dietary intake data and evidence concerning calcium intakes throughout the soldier's career, as training programs, food choices, and food supply change over time.

Based on preliminary data from athletes, the potential loss of calcium in sweat due to physical exertion during training and the impact of high levels of activity on calcium requirements needs to be investigated as possible pathophysiological factors in the development of stress fracture.

More research is needed to evaluate existing technologies for cost-effective assessment of bone mass. These technologies currently include ultrasound, central and peripheral dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry, and central and peripheral quantitative computer tomography. Ultimately, the cost-benefit analysis of all techniques will have to be addressed for specific uses and populations within the military.

Mechanical models should be developed which link skeletal muscle mass, force/torque, and bone stress in humans, as well as to improve existing in vivo methods of quantifying components of these models.