Previous physical activity relates to bone mineral measures in young women

Exercise may increase accretion of bone, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Previous physical activity was assessed in 204 minimally active young women (18-31 yr). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) for the total body, femoral neck, and spine were assessed by a dual x-ray absorptiometer, and the radius by a single photon absorptiometer. Self-reported occupation and leisure activity for the 5 yr before enrollment in the study, as well as high school and college sports participation, were assigned energy expenditure (EE) values. From this information, EE variables were created as follows: 1) occupation EE + leisure EE + high school sport and/or college sport EE if within prior 5 yr (5-yr EE); 2) occupation EE + leisure EE (occupation + leisure EE); and 3) high school sport EE (high school EE). These variables were correlated with bone mineral measures and significant results follow (P < 0.05). Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE correlated with all measures of bone health (r from 0.13 to 0.39). High school EE correlated with total body BMD (r = 0.25) and BMC (r = 0.28), femoral neck BMD (r = 0.28), radius BMC (r = 0.20), as well as spine BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.27). When weight was controlled, 5-yr EE and occupation + leisure EE remained correlated with all BMC measures (r from 0.14 to 0.22). When controlled for weight, high school EE remained associated with femoral neck BMD (r = 0.24), total body BMD (r = 0.20) and BMC (r = 0.26), and spine BMC (r = 0.17). To partially control for selection bias, data were also controlled for total body BMD. Five-year EE and occupation + leisure EE remained positively correlated with all measures of BMC. High school EE remained correlated both with femoral neck BMD and total body BMC. In multiple regression analyses, 5-yr EE or occupation + leisure EE were significant predictors of all measures of bone health, except femoral neck BMD. High school EE was a significant predictor for total body BMD and BMC, femoral neck BMD, and spine BMC.