Bone Mineral Density According to Exercise and Physical Activity in Premenopausal Women

Song, Chan Hee; Joo, Sang Yeon; Kim, Young Sub; Ock, Sun Myeong

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Exercise and physical activity may increase bone mineral density (BMD), especially in premenopausal women. However, previous studies have concentrated on postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to evaluate the independent associations of exercise and physical activity with BMD in premenopauseal women. MATERIAL & METHODS: One hundred premenopausal women were recruited from outpatient clinics and a health promotion center in a university hospital located in Seoul. We measured the BMD of lumbar spine and hip using dual energy X-ray absoptiometry. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and exercise status were obtained from self-reported questionnaires. The Stanford questionnaire was used to assess physical activity.
RESULTS
Age and body mass index-adjusted ANCOVA revealed that the mean BMD at the spine and hip was not significantly associated with exercise time. The mean BMD at the spine was significantly higher in women who exercised regularly > or =3 a week than in women who exercised <3 times a week. (P=0.026) Higher BMD at the spine and femur neck was significantly associated with an increase in physical activity (P<0.05). After additional adjustment for exercise frequency, BMD at the femur neck was still significantly associated with total physical activity (P=0.007).
CONCLUSION
Premenopausal women who exercised > or =3 times every week had significantly higher spine BMDs. The increase in physical activity was significantly associated with higher BMD at the spine and femur neck.