Association between bone-specific physical activity scores and pQCT-derived measures of bone strength and geometry in healthy young and middle-aged premenopausal women

Sojung Kim,Michael G Bemben,Debra A Bemben,Breanne S Baker,Pragya Sharma-Ghimire

doi:10.1007/s11657-018-0495-8

Sojung Kim, Michael G Bemben + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-018-0495-8

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Abstract

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine if bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ) scores were positively related to bone health in healthy young and middle-aged premenopausal women. The total BPAQ was a stronger predictor of bone strength and bone mineral density of hip in young women as compared to middle-aged premenopausal women.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the BPAQ scores were predictive indices of volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone strength, and bone geometry in young and middle-aged premenopausal women.MethodsHealthy young (n = 60) and middle-aged premenopausal women (n = 54) between the ages of 18 and 50 years were recruited for this study. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of lumbar spine and dual proximal femur (FN; femoral neck) was measured using DXA. We assessed vBMD of the tibia 4%, 38%, and 66% by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). The BPAQ was used to obtain a comprehensive account of lifetime physical activity related to bone health.ResultsPearson’s correlation tests showed positive correlations between total BPAQ and aBMD of the right FN (r = 0.313, p = 0.015) and the left FN (r = 0.307, p = 0.017) in young women while not found in middle-aged premenopausal women (p > 0.05). A positive relationship was only observed between total BPAQ and tibia 38% vBMD in middle-aged premenopausal women (r = 0.283, p = 0.038). All bone geometry variables were associated with total BPAQ (r = 0.280–0.422, p = 0.03–0.001) in young women. The Strength-Strain Index of tibia 38% (r = 0.350, p = 0.006) and 66% (r = 0.406, p = 0.001) was associated with total BPAQ in young women. In both young and middle-aged premenopausal women, when age, bone-free lean body mass (BFLBM), and total BPAQ were included in a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, BFLBM was a significant predictor of all aBMD variables, accounting for 7–25.7% (p = 0.043–0.001).ConclusionsThe total BPAQ score-derived physical activity was more predictive of positive bone characteristics in young women than in middle-aged premenopausal women.

Highlights

Bone-strengthening activities have been shown to positively affect bone accrual in growing children [1, 2] and overall bone health in later life [3]
The total bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ) score-derived physical activity was more predictive of positive bone characteristics in young women than in middle-aged premenopausal women
Farr et al [6] found that the modified past year physical activity questionnaire (PYPAQ) predicted better indices of bone strength compared to BPAQ, 3DPAR, and pedometer use in girls

Summary

Introduction

Bone-strengthening activities (e.g., jumping, running, and gymnastics) have been shown to positively affect bone accrual in growing children [1, 2] and overall bone health in later life [3]. Arch Osteoporos (2018) 13: 83 and healthy populations [4,5,6,7], but recently the most common methods for assessing one’s historical bone-loading exercises that affect bone strength have been criticized in different bone quality components as well as different age groups. Weeks and Beck [4] reported that past and current BPAQ scores had significant ability to detect bone strength parameters whereas other traditional measures of physical activity (e.g., Bone Loading History Questionnaire; BLHQ, 3-day Physical Activity Record; 3DPAR, Pedometer) did not. Farr et al [6] found that the modified past year physical activity questionnaire (PYPAQ) predicted better indices of bone strength compared to BPAQ, 3DPAR, and pedometer use in girls

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