Bone mineral density and physical activity assessed by steps per day in institutionalized and ambulatory older people

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Abstract

Reduced physical activity with aging has been considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. We examined the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and daily physical activity as assessed by steps per day in institutionalized, who have higher incidence of fracture, and ambulatory older people. Fifty-three institutionalized and twenty-seven ambulatory older people participated in the study. The BMD of the lumbar spine and total femur were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the steps/day were recorded by an accelerometer. The number of steps/day taken by the institutionalized was 1278±201, which was significantly lower than that of the control, 5030±427 (P< 0.001). A highly significant difference in femoral BMD was seen between groups (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in lumbar BMD between the groups, and high incidences of lumbar disorder, 66.7% in the control and 67.9% in the institutionalized, were observed. The extremely low level of physical activity of the institutionalized probably affects the reduced femoral BMD but not lumbar BMD. The better femur BMD of the ambulatory group may indicate that setting a target number of steps/day 1.0 minimize femoral bone loss with aging is beneficial.

Journal

  • 総合保健体育科学

    総合保健体育科学 31 (1), 1-4, 2008-03-31

    The Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University

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