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Bone mass following physical activity in young years: a mean 39-year prospective controlled study in men

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Abstract

Summary

This is a study on exercise-associated bone mineral density (BMD) which in men is maintained three decades after cessation of sports. In this prospective controlled cohort study active athletes had a BMD Z-score of 1.0 and after 39 years 0.5 to 1.2 depending on the measured region), using the same single-photon absorptiometry device, dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and peripheral computed tomography (pQCT).

Introduction

The aims of this study were to prospectively evaluate BMD changes in male athletes from activity into long-term retirement and to simultaneously evaluate other bone traits.

Methods

Bone mineral density (grams per square centimeter) was measured in 46 male athletes with a mean age of 22 years (range, 15–40) by using the same single-photon absorptiometry device, both at active career and a mean of 39 years (range, 38–40) later when they had long-term retired. At follow-up, BMD was also evaluated by DXA and pQCT. Twenty-four non-athletic males of similar age served as controls. Between-group differences are presented as means with 95 % confidence intervals.

Results

The active athletes (baseline) had a BMD Z-score of 1.0 (0.7, 1.4) in the femoral condyles. The retired athletes (follow-up) had a BMD Z-score of 0.5 to 1.2 depending on the measuring technique and the measured region. The tibial cortical area Z-score at follow-up was 0.8 (0.5, 1.2) and the tibial strength index Z-score 0.7 (0.4, 1.0). There were no changes in BMD Z-scores from activity to retirement, neither when estimated by the same device in different regions [∆ Z-score −0.3 (−0.8, 0.2)] nor in the same region with different devices [∆ Z-score 0.0 (−0.4, 0.4)]. The benefits remained after adjustments for anthropometrics and lifestyle. No correlation was seen with years since retirement.

Conclusions

Exercise-associated high BMD in young years seems, in men, to be maintained three decades after cessation of high-level physical activity.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support was obtained from the Swedish Medical Research Council, the Centre for Sports Medical Research (CIF), the Swedish Society of Medicine, and the Swedish Society of Medical Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden

    M. Tveit, B. E. Rosengren, J-Å. Nilsson, H. G. Ahlborg & M. K. Karlsson

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden

    M. Tveit, B. E. Rosengren, J-Å. Nilsson, H. G. Ahlborg & M. K. Karlsson

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  1. M. Tveit
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  2. B. E. Rosengren
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  3. J-Å. Nilsson
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  4. H. G. Ahlborg
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  5. M. K. Karlsson
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Correspondence to M. Tveit.

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Tveit, M., Rosengren, B.E., Nilsson, JÅ. et al. Bone mass following physical activity in young years: a mean 39-year prospective controlled study in men. Osteoporos Int 24, 1389–1397 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-2081-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-2081-z

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