SpringerLink
Log in

Lifetime sport and leisure activity participation is associated with greater bone size, quality and strength in older men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

It remains uncertain whether long-term participation in regular weight-bearing exercise confers an advantage to bone structure and strength in old age. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lifetime sport and leisure activity participation on bone material and structural properties at the axial and appendicular skeleton in older men (>50 years).

Methods

We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess hip, spine and ultradistal (UD) radius areal bone mineral density (aBMD) (n=161), quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to measure heel bone quality (n=161), and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) to assess volumetric BMD, bone geometry and strength at the spine (L1–L3) and mid-femur (n=111). Current (>50+ years) and past hours of sport and leisure activity participation during adolescence (13–18 years) and adulthood (19–50 years) were assessed by questionnaire. This information was used to calculate the total time (min) spent participating in sport and leisure activities and an osteogenic index (OI) score for each participant, which provides a measure of participation in weight-bearing activities.

Results

Regression analysis revealed that a greater lifetime (13–50+ years) and mid-adulthood (19–50 years) OI, but not total time (min), was associated with a greater mid-femur total and cortical area, cortical bone mineral content (BMC), and the polar moment of inertia (I p) and heel VOS (p ranging from <0.05 to <0.01). These results were independent of age, height (or femoral length) and weight (or muscle cross-sectional area). Adolescent OI scores were not found to be significant predictors of bone structure or strength. Furthermore, no significant relationships were detected with areal or volumetric BMD at any site. Subjects were then categorized into either a high (H) or low/non-impact (L) group during adolescence (13–18 years) and adulthood (19–50+ years) according to their OI scores during each of these periods. Three groups were subsequently formed to reflect weight-bearing impact categories during adolescence and then adulthood: LL, HL and HH. Compared to the LL group, mid-femur total and cortical area, cortical BMC and I p were 6.5–14.2% higher in the HH group. No differences were detected between the LL and HL groups.

Conclusions

In conclusion, these findings indicate that long-term regular participation in sport and leisure activities categorized according to an osteogenic index [but not the total time (min) spent participating in all sport and leisure activities] was an important determinant of bone size, quality and strength, but not BMD, at loaded sites in older men. Furthermore, continued participation in weight-bearing exercise in early to mid-adulthood appears to be important for reducing the risk of low bone strength in old age.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bass S, Pearce G, Bradney M, Hendrich E, Delmas PD, Harding A, Seeman E (1998) Exercise before puberty may confer residual benefits in bone density in adulthood: studies in active prepubertal and retired female gymnasts. J Bone Miner Res 13:500–507

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nurmi-Lawton JA, Baxter-Jones AD, Mirwald RL, Bishop JA, Taylor P, Cooper C, New SA (2004) Evidence of sustained skeletal benefits from impact-loading exercise in young females: a 3-year longitudinal study. J Bone Miner Res 19:314–322

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hernandez CJ, Beaupre GS, Carter DR (2003) A theoretical analysis of the relative influences of peak BMD, age-related bone loss and menopause on the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 14:843–847

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Friedlander AL, Genant HK, Sadowsky S, Byl NN, Gluer CC (1995) A two-year program of aerobics and weight training enhances bone mineral density of young women. J Bone Miner Res 10:574–585

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Snow Harter C, Bouxsein ML, Lewis BT, Carter DR, Marcus R (1992) Effects of resistance and endurance exercise on bone mineral status of young women: a randomized exercise intervention trial. J Bone Miner Res 7:761–769

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Heinonen A, Kannus P, Sievanen H, Oja P, Pasanen M, Rinne M, Uusi Rasi K, Vuori I (1996) Randomised controlled trial of effect of high-impact exercise on selected risk factors for osteoporotic fractures. Lancet 348:1343–1347

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Karlsson MK, Linden C, Karlsson C, Johnell O, Obrant K, Seeman E (2000) Exercise during growth and bone mineral density and fractures in old age. Lancet 355:469–470

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Van Langendonck L, Lefevre J, Claessens AL, Thomis M, Philippaerts R, Delvaux K, Lysens R, Renson R, Vanreusel B, Vanden Eynde B, Dequeker J, Beunen G (2003) Influence of participation in high-impact sports during adolescence and adulthood on bone mineral density in middle-aged men: a 27-year follow-up study. Am J Epidemiol 158:525–533

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ulrich CM, Georgiou CC, Gillis DE, Snow CM (1999) Lifetime physical activity is associated with bone mineral density in premenopausal women. J Womens Health 8:365–375

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Delvaux K, Lefevre J, Philippaerts R, Dequeker J, Thomis M, Vanreusel B, Claessens A, Eynde BV, Beunen G, Lysens R (2001) Bone mass and lifetime physical activity in Flemish males: a 27-year follow-up study. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:1868–1875

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bakker I, Twisk JW, Van Mechelen W, Roos JC, Kemper HC (2003) Ten-year longitudinal relationship between physical activity and lumbar bone mass in (young) adults. J Bone Miner Res 18:325–332

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kriska AM, Sandler RB, Cauley JA, LaPorte RE, Hom DL, Pambianco G (1988) The assessment of historical physical activity and its relation to adult bone parameters. Am J Epidemiol 127:1053–1063

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Vuillemin A, Guillemin F, Jouanny P, Denis G, Jeandel C (2001) Differential influence of physical activity on lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in the elderly population. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 56:B248–B253

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kaptoge S, Dalzell N, Jakes RW, Wareham N, Day NE, Khaw KT, Beck TJ, Loveridge N, Reeve J (2003) Hip section modulus, a measure of bending resistance, is more strongly related to reported physical activity than BMD. Osteoporos Int 14:941–949

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Brahm H, Mallmin H, Michaelsson K, Strom H, Ljunghall S (1998) Relationships between bone mass measurements and lifetime physical activity in a Swedish population. Calcif Tissue Int 62:400–412

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Orwoll ES (2003) Toward an expanded understanding of the role of the periosteum in skeletal health. J Bone Miner Res 18:949–954

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jarvinen TL, Kannus P, Sievanen H, Jolma P, Heinonen A, Jarvinen M (1998) Randomized controlled study of effects of sudden impact loading on rat femur. J Bone Miner Res 13:1475–1482

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Daly RM, Rich PA, Klein R, Bass S (1999) Effects of high-impact exercise on ultrasonic and biochemical indices of skeletal status: a prospective study in young male gymnasts. J Bone Miner Res 14:1222–1230

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Dufek JS, Bates BT (1991) Biomechanical factors associated with injury during landing in jump sports. Sports Med 12:326–337

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ricard MD, Veatch S (1994) Effect of running speed and aerobic dance jump height on vertical ground reaction forces. Int J Sport Biomech 10:14–27

    Google Scholar 

  21. McClay IS, Robinson JR, Andriacchi TP, Frederick EC, Gross T, Martin P, Valiant G, Williams KR, Cavanagh PR (1994) A profile of ground reaction forces in professional basketball. Int J Sport Biomech 10:222–236

    Google Scholar 

  22. Asami T, Nolte V (1983) Analysis of powerful ball kicking. In: Matsui H, Kobayashi K (eds) Biomechanics VIII-B. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, pp 695–700

    Google Scholar 

  23. Adrian MJ, Laughlin CK (1983) Magnitude of ground reaction forces while performing volleyball skills. In: Matsui H, Kobayashi K (eds) Biomechanics VIII-B. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, pp 902–914

    Google Scholar 

  24. Turner CH, Robling AG (2003) Designing exercise regimens to increase bone strength. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 31:45–50

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lang T, LeBlanc A, Evans H, Lu Y, Genant H, Yu A (2004) Cortical and trabecular bone mineral loss from the spine and hip in long-duration spaceflight. J Bone Miner Res 19:1006–1012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Sievanen H (2000) A physical model for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived bone mineral density. Invest Radiol 35:325–330

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kaufman JJ, Einhorn TA (1993) Ultrasound assessment of bone. J Bone Miner Res 8:517–525

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Seeman E, Duan Y, Fong C, Edmonds J (2001) Fracture site-specific deficits in bone size and volumetric density in men with spine or hip fractures. J Bone Miner Res 16:120–127

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ahlborg HG, Johnell O, Turner CH, Rannevik G, Karlsson MK (2003) Bone loss and bone size after menopause. N Engl J Med 349:327–334

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Karlsson M, Ahlborg H, Obrant K, Lindberg H, Nyquist F, Karlsson C (2002) Exercise during growth and young adulthood is associated with reduced fracture risk in old age. J Bone Miner Res 17:297

    Google Scholar 

  31. Szulc P, Garnero P, Marchand F, Duboeuf F, Delmas PD (2005) Biochemical markers of bone formation reflect endosteal bone loss in elderly men-MINOS study. Bone 36:13–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Heinonen A, Sievanen H, Kannus P, Oja P, Vuori I (2002) Site-specific skeletal response to long-term weight training seems to be attributable to principal loading modality: a pQCT study of female weightlifters. Calcif Tissue Int 70:469–474

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Haapasalo H, Kontulainen S, Sievanen H, Kannus P, Jarvinen M, Vuori I (2000) Exercise-induced bone gain is due to enlargement in bone size without a change in volumetric bone density: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography study of the upper arms of male tennis players. Bone 27:351–357

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Seeman E (2003) Reduced bone formation and increased bone resorption: rational targets for the treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 14(Suppl 3):S2–S8

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ainsworth BE, Shaw JM, Hueglin S (2002) Methodology of activity surveys to estimate mechanical loading on bones in humans. Bone 30:787–791

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Umemura Y, Ishiko T, Yamauchi T, Kurono M, Mashiko S (1997) Five jumps per day increase bone mass and breaking force in rats. J Bone Miner Res 12:1480–1485

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Neville CE, Murray LJ, Boreham CA, Gallagher AM, Twisk J, Robson PJ, Savage JM, Kemper HC, Ralston SH, Davey Smith G (2002) Relationship between physical activity and bone mineral status in young adults: the Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project. Bone 30:792–798

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bass SL, Saxon L, Daly RM, Turner CH, Robling AG, Seeman E, Stuckey S (2002) The effect of mechanical loading on the size and shape of bone in pre-, peri-, and postpubertal girls: a study in tennis players. J Bone Miner Res 17:2274–2280

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Kontulainen S, Sievanen H, Kannus P, Pasanen M, Vuori I (2002) Effect of long-term impact-loading on mass, size, and estimated strength of humerus and radius of female racquet-sports players: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography study between young and old starters and controls. J Bone Miner Res 17:2281–2289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Nordstrom A, Karlsson C, Nyquist F, Olsson T, Nordstrom P, Karlsson M (2005) Bone loss and fracture risk after reduced physical activity. J Bone Miner Res 20:202–207

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Valdimarsson O, Alborg HG, Duppe H, Nyquist F, Karlsson M (2005) Reduced training is associated with increased loss of BMD. J Bone Miner Res 20:906–912

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Kontulainen S, Kannus P, Haapasalo H, Heinonen A, Sievanen H, Oja P, Vuori I (1999) Changes in bone mineral content with decreased training in competitive young adult tennis players and controls: a prospective 4-yr follow-up. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:646–652

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Kontulainen S, Kannus P, Haapasalo H, Sievanen H, Pasanen M, Heinonen A, Oja P, Vuori I (2001) Good maintenance of exercise-induced bone gain with decreased training of female tennis and squash players: a prospective 5-year follow-up study of young and old starters and controls. J Bone Miner Res 16:195–201

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Groothausen J, Siemer H, Kemper HCG, Twisk J, Wleten DC (1997) Influence of peak strain on lumbar bone mineral density: an analysis of 15-year physical activity in young males and females. Pediatr Exerc Sci 9:159–173

    Google Scholar 

  45. Blair SN, Dowda M, Pate RR, Kronenfeld J, Howe HG Jr, Parker G, Blair A, Fridinger F (1991) Reliability of long-term recall of participation in physical activity by middle-aged men and women. Am J Epidemiol 133:266–275

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Chasan-Taber L, Erickson JB, McBride JW, Nasca PC, Chasan-Taber S, Freedson PS (2002) Reproducibility of a self-administered lifetime physical activity questionnaire among female college alumnae. Am J Epidemiol 155:282–289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by grants from the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Helen M. Schutt, and the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Deakin University. Dr. Robin Daly was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Training Fellowship and Osteoporosis Australia Research Fellowship. Associate Professor Shona Bass was supported by a NHMRC Career Development Award. We wish to thank Melanie Brown, Jeni Black, Joanne Daly, and Sam Korn for their assistance with the clinical testing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Melbourne, 3125, Australia

    R. M. Daly & S. L. Bass

Authors
  1. R. M. Daly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. L. Bass
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. M. Daly.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Daly, R.M., Bass, S.L. Lifetime sport and leisure activity participation is associated with greater bone size, quality and strength in older men. Osteoporos Int 17, 1258–1267 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-006-0114-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-006-0114-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation