Association of physical exercise and calcium intake with bone mass measured by quantitative ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
Interventions other than medications in the management of osteoporosis are often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of physical activity and calcium intake with bone parameters.


METHODS
We measured the heel T-score and stiffness index (SI) in 1890 pre- and postmenopausal women by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and assessed physical activity and dietary calcium intake by questionnaire. Participants were divided according to their weekly physical activity (sedentary, moderately active, systematically active) and daily calcium consumption (greater than or less than 800 mg/day).


RESULTS
SI values were significantly different among premenopausal groups (p = 0.016) and between sedentary and systematically active postmenopausal women (p = 0.039). QUS T-scores in systematically active premenopausal women with daily calcium intake > 800 mg/day were significantly higher than those in all other activity groups (p < 0.05) independent of calcium consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic physical activity and adequate dietary calcium intake are indicated for women as a means to maximize bone status benefits.
Dionyssiotis
Yannis
Y
Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System, University of Athens, Kifissia, Greece. idiony@otenet.gr
Paspati
Ioanna
I
Trovas
Georgios
G
Galanos
Antonios
A
Lyritis
Georgios P
GP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
D002136:Calcium, Dietary