Interaction between playing golf and HRT on vertebral bone properties in post-menopausal women measured by QCT

We investigated the effect of playing regular golf and HRT on lumbar and thoracic vertebral bone parameters (measured by QCT) in 72 post-menopausal women. The main finding of this study was that there was positive interaction between golf and HRT on vertebral body CSA and BMC at the thoracic 12 and lumbar 2 vertebra but not the third and seventh thoracic vertebras.

Identifying specific exercises that load the spine sufficiently to be osteogenic is an important component of primary osteoporosis prevention. The aim of this study was to determine if in postmenopausal women regular participation in golf resulted in greater paravertebral muscle mass and improved vertebral bone strength.

Forty-seven postmenopausal women who played golf regularly were compared to 25 controls. Bone parameters at the mid-vertebral body were determined by QCT at spinal levels T3, T7, T12 and L2 (cross-sectional area (CSA), total volumetric BMD (vBMD), trabecular vBMD of the central 50% of total CSA, BMC and cortical rim thickness). At T7 and L2, CSA of trunk muscles was determined.

There was a positive interaction between golf and HRT for vertebral CSA and BMC at T12 and L2, but not at T3 or T7 (p ranging < 0.02 to 0.07). Current HRT use was associated with a 10-15% greater total and trabecular vBMD at all measured vertebral levels. Paravertebral muscle CSA did not differ between groups. Vertebral CSA was the bone parameter significantly related to muscle CSA.

These findings provide preliminary evidence that playing golf may improve lower spine bone strength in postmenopausal women who are using HRT.