Physical activity and osteoporotic fracture among older women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the importance of physical activity in the occurrence of osteoporotic fracture and to examine the impact of exercise frequency on osteoporotic fracture among a national sample of women aged 50 years and older.


METHODS
This study involved female participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), Phase 1.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 2,325 women aged 50 years and older who were interviewed for Phase 1 of NHANES III.


METHODS
Predictor variables that were examined in this study included heredity, age, race, body mass index, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, and dairy product intake. Multivariate analysis was conducted.


RESULTS
Race, age, body mass index, and inactivity were significant risk factors Predicting the occurrence of osteoporotic fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Athletic trainers in clinical settings are in an ideal position to educate female patients about risk factors for osteoporotic fracture. The clinical athletic trainer may incorporate balance training, generalized strengthening, and other fall-prevention activities into rehabilitation programs in order to help prevent osteoporotic injuries.
Department of Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation, and Dance, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
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LW
Turner
D
D
Leaver-Dunn
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R
Dibrezzo
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I
Fort