title: Is bone mineral density advantage maintained long-term in previous weight lifters?
abstract: This cross-sectional study was done in order to ascertain whether there is a lifelong beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) of early, long-lasting, and intense physical exercise. Forty-eight male ex-weight lifters, mean age 64 years (range 50-79) participated. They had followed a training program of an average of 10 hours/week (range 4-20) for an average of 13 years (range 1-34). They had all retired from competitive sport an average of 30 years (range 7-50) ago. Sixty-six age-matched volunteers served as controls. The bone mineral density (BMD, areal density, g/cm2) in the total body, spine, and hips and the fat content and lean body mass were measured with the LUNAR DPX bone mass scanner. In ex-weight lifters 50-64 years of age, the BMD was greater than in controls. After 65 years, no difference was found between the former weight lifters and their controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Johnell
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Obrant
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*