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Strength measures are related to bone mineral content and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Stewart JW,
Hanson KB,
Hanson LN,
Matvienko OA,
Van Loan M,
Alekel DL
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1063-b
Subject(s) - bone mineral , medicine , osteoporosis , menopause , bone density , femoral neck , endocrinology , physical therapy
Loss of estrogen during menopause causes a decline in bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Physical fitness, muscle strength, and body weight protect against bone loss. We used Spearman's rho correlation analysis to determine the relationship between spine, hip, and whole body BMC and BMD (using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry) and fitness measures in healthy non‐athletic postmenopausal women (n=255). These included strength measures (hand, torso, leg), balance, BMI, maximum lifetime weight (max wt), and blood pressure (BP). Strength measurements were related to each other, but also positively to hip (p<0.002), spine (p<0.0001), and whole body (p<0.0001) BMC and spine (p<0.003) and whole body (p<0.03) BMD. As the number of menstruating years increased, strength measures decreased (P<0.05). Balance and BP were not related to BMC or BMD. Both diastolic and systolic BP were positively related (p<0.006) to max wt and BMI, but inversely related to balance (p<0.01). Based on the correlation coefficients, max wt appeared to be more highly related than BMI to BMC and BMD, illustrating the importance of historical weight on bone. Physical fitness as reflected by strength but not other measures was positively associated with BMC and BMD in postmenopausal women, indicating the importance of maintaining muscle strength to decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/NIH ( AR046922 A2)