Associations between physical activity and bone structure in older adults:​ does the use of self-reported versus objective assessments of physical activity influence the relationship?

Ng, C.-A.<sup>1</sup>; McMillan, L. B.<sup>1</sup>; Beck, B.<sup>2,3</sup>; Humbert, L.<sup>4</sup>; Ebeling, P. R.<sup>1</sup>; Scott, D.<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia

²Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia

³The Bone Clinic, Brisbane, Australia

⁴Musculoskeletal Unit, Galgo Medical, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract and keywords

Summary: Associations of current and previous physical activity (PA) with bone health are unclear. In postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD), current PA was positively associated with femoral neck BMD and microarchitecture. Past PA was positively associated with tibial microarchitecture. PA appears beneficial for bone health throughout the lifespan.

Introduction: To compare associations of current and past self-reported bone-specific physical activity, and current accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA), with bone structure (bone mineral density [BMD] and microarchitecture) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Methods: Fifty community-dwelling postmenopausal women (mean age 64.4 ± 7.7) with hip or spine BMD T-score < − 1.0 SD were recruited for an exercise intervention. At baseline, current, past and total Bone-specific Physical Questionnaire (BPAQ) scores were self-reported, and percentages of sedentary, light and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) were objectively determined by accelerometer measurements. Bone structure was assessed by lumbar spine and hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), 3D modelling algorithms (3D-SHAPER) of hip DXA scans and distal tibial high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans.

Results: Current BPAQ scores and MVPA were significantly positively associated with femoral neck areal BMD (β = 0.315, p = 0.031 and β = 0.311, p = 0.042, respectively) following multivariable adjustments. MVPA was also positively associated with femoral cortical surface BMD (β = 0.333, p = 0.028) and mean cortical thickness (β = 0.374, p = 0.013). Past and total BPAQ scores demonstrated positive associations with tibial trabecular number (β = 0.391, p = 0.008 and β = 0.381, p = 0.010, respectively), and negative associations with trabecular separation (β = − 0.396, p = 0.006 and β = − 0.380, p = 0.009, respectively) and distribution (β = − 0.411, p = 0.004 and β = − 0.396, p = 0.006, respectively). Current BPAQ score was positively associated with tibial cortical periosteal perimeter (β = 0.278, p = 0.014).

Conclusion: BPAQ scores were most consistently associated with tibial bone parameters in older women, with past PA having lasting benefits for trabecular microarchitecture, and current PA positively associated with cortical bone.

Keywords: Accelerometer; Bone; Older adults; Osteoporosis; Physical activity

Links

DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-05208-y

PubMed: 31720706

WoS: 000496218000003

History

Received: 2019-06-18

Accepted: 2019-10-23

Online: 2019-11-13

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Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
2021	Savikangas T, Sipilä S, Rantalainen T. Associations of physical activity intensities, impact intensities and osteogenic index with proximal femur bone traits among sedentary older adults. Bone. February 2021;143:115704.
2021	Ng C, Scott D, Seibel MJ, Cumming RG, Naganathan V, Blyth FM, Le Couteur DG, Waite LM, Handelsman DJ, Hirani V. Higher‐impact physical activity is associated with maintenance of bone mineral density but not reduced incident falls or fractures in older men: the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project. J Bone Miner Res. April 2021;36(4):662-672.
2021	Ng C-A, McMillan LB, Humbert L, Ebeling PR, Scott D. Feasibility, safety and effectiveness of a pilot 16-week home-based, impact exercise intervention in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. Osteoporos Int. May 2021;32(5):893-905.
2020	Jazinizadeh F. Assessment of Hip Fracture Risk in Older Adults by Considering the Effect of Geometry and Bone Mineral Density Distribution in the Femur Using Single Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scans [PhD thesis]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; August 2020.