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Kyphosis in active and sedentary postmenopausal women
1Wastl Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|April 27, 2001
Summary
Physical activity in younger years does not appear to impact kyphosis in postmenopausal women. Body fat and height loss are the best predictors of kyphosis, though they explain only a small portion of the variance.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Kyphosis, an excessive outward curvature of the spine, can affect posture and mobility, particularly in postmenopausal women.
- Understanding factors influencing kyphosis is crucial for maintaining quality of life in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity levels (sedentary vs. active, land-based vs. water-based) and kyphosis in postmenopausal women.
- To identify predictors of kyphosis, including muscle strength, body composition, and calcium intake.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-one postmenopausal women (aged 60-78) were assessed for kyphosis, back extensor strength (BES), grip strength (GS), body fat percentage, height loss (HtLost), and various physical activity metrics.
- Statistical analyses included comparisons between activity groups and stepwise multiple regression to identify significant predictors of kyphosis.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in kyphosis were observed between sedentary, land-based, and water-based activity groups, nor between exercisers and non-exercisers.
- Stepwise multiple regression identified body fat percentage and height loss as the primary predictors of kyphosis, accounting for 22% of the variance.
- Muscle strength (GS, BES) showed correlations with age, height loss, and occupational activity history.
Conclusions:
- While lifelong physical activity may contribute to strength in older adulthood, it does not appear to significantly influence kyphosis.
- The study highlights that factors beyond those measured, such as body fat and height loss, play a significant role in kyphosis development, suggesting other potent causative factors exist.