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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?

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Abstract

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.

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Funding

This study was funded by a Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Strategic Grant (SGS16-0388) awarded to DS. DS is supported by a NHMRC RD Wright Biomedical Career Development Fellowship (GNT1123014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia

    C.-A. Ng, L.B. McMillan, P.R. Ebeling & D. Scott

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

    B. Beck

  3. The Bone Clinic, Brisbane, Australia

    B. Beck

  4. Musculoskeletal Unit, Galgo Medical, Barcelona, Spain

    L. Humbert

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  1. C.-A. Ng
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  2. L.B. McMillan
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Correspondence to C.-A. Ng.

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Conflict of interest

Carrie-Anne Ng, Lachlan McMillan, Belinda Beck, David Scott and Peter Ebeling declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ludovic Humbert is a stockholder and employee of Galgo Medical.

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Ng, CA., McMillan, L., Beck, B. et al. 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?. Osteoporos Int 31, 493–503 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-019-05208-y

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