Physical activity for bone health: how much and/or how hard?
Date
2020
Authors
Rowlands, A.V.
Edwardson, C.L.
Dawkins, N.P.
Maylor, B.D.
Metcalf, K.M.
Janz, K.F.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2020; 52(11):2331-2341
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Purpose High-impact physical activity is associated with bone health, but higher volumes of lower-intensity activity may also be important. The aims of this study were to: 1) investigate the relative importance of volume and intensity of physical activity accumulated during late adolescence for bone health at age 23 yr; and 2) illustrate interpretation of the results. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from the Iowa Bone Development Study, a longitudinal study of bone health from childhood through to young adulthood. The volume (average acceleration) and intensity distribution (intensity gradient) of activity at age 17, 19, 21, and 23 yr were calculated from raw acceleration ActiGraph data and averaged across ages. Hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD), total body bone mineral content (BMC), spine aBMD, and hip structural geometry (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, Hologic QDR4500A) were assessed at age 23 yr. Valid data, available for 220 participants (124 girls), were analyzed with multiple regression. To elucidate significant effects, we predicted bone outcomes when activity volume and intensity were high (+1SD), medium (mean), and low (-1SD). Results There were additive associations of volume and intensity with hip aBMD and total body BMC (low-intensity/low-volume cf. high-intensity/high-volume = Δ0.082 g·cm-2 and Δ169.8 g, respectively). For males only, spine aBMD intensity was associated independently of volume (low-intensity cf. high-intensity = Δ0.049 g·cm-2). For hip structural geometry, volume was associated independently of intensity (low-volume cf. high-volume = Δ4.8-6.6%). Conclusions The activity profile associated with optimal bone outcomes was high in intensity and volume. The variation in bone health across the activity volume and intensity distribution suggests intensity is key for aBMD and BMC, whereas high volumes of lower intensity activity may be beneficial for hip structural geometry.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2020 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins