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Functional fitness and bone mineral density in the elderly

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Abstract

Summary

Bone quality has been associated with genetic factors and several environmental influences. This study suggests that although functional fitness should be considered in clinical assessments of bone health, body composition appears to have a higher relevance in the explanation of bone health/strength in older people.

Purpose

This study aims to describe the association between functional fitness (FF), other constitutive factors, and bone health/strength in a large community-dwelling sample of elderly active Portuguese.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 401 males and 401 females aged 60–79 years old. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the total body, lumbar spine (LS), and hip region was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In addition, femur strength index (FSI) was determined. FF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Demographic information and a health history were obtained by telephone interview through questionnaire.

Results

Aerobic endurance and body strength were positively related with hip BMD region in males (0.10 < r < 0.16; p < 0.01–0.05) and females (0.13 < r < 0.28; p < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between any FF test and LS BMD, except for upper-body strength in females. After controlling for other constitutive predictors (sex, age, height, body mass (BM), total fat mass (TFM), and total lean tissue mass (TLTM)), FF had a minor contribution only in prediction of BMD at multisites and FSI. The total explained variance for all determinants was moderate (R² = 0.35 for femoral neck (FN) BMD, R² = 0.27 for LS BMD, R² = 0.49 total body BMD, and R² = 0.22 for FSI).

Conclusions

Sex, age, height, BM, TLTM, and TFM entered as the most significant contributors for BMD and FSI. Although FF parameters are typically considered in clinical assessments of bone health/strength in older people, body composition appears to have a higher relevance in the explanation of BMD and strength.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Bruna Gouveia, Ercília Fena, Joana Castro, Letícia Sousa and Sílvio Velosa for technical assistance in the collection of the sample and data management. This study was supported by doctoral degree grants from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia reference: SFRH/BD/29300/2006. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were generously sponsored by Iberdata Equipment’s S.A. Technical assistance in collection of the data was supported by Madeira Regional Government and Regional Secretary of Education and Culture.

Conflicts of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal

    Élvio R. Gouveia & Duarte L. Freitas

  2. CIFI2D and Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    José A. Maia

  3. Department of Biomedical Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Gaston P. Beunen

  4. Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    C. J. R. Blimkie

  5. Private Clinic Santa Catarina, Funchal, Portugal

    António L. Rodrigues

Authors
  1. Élvio R. Gouveia
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  2. José A. Maia
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  3. Gaston P. Beunen
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  4. C. J. R. Blimkie
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  6. Duarte L. Freitas
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Correspondence to Élvio R. Gouveia.

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Gouveia, É.R., Maia, J.A., Beunen, G.P. et al. Functional fitness and bone mineral density in the elderly. Arch Osteoporos 7, 75–85 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-012-0083-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-012-0083-2

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