title: The beneficial effect of leisure-time physical activity on bone mineral density in pre- and postmenopausal women.
abstract: Regular exercise and physical activity (PA) are known to be protective factors for maintaining bone mineral density (BMD) and preventing osteoporotic fracture. We investigated the associations between leisure-time PA and BMD in 2,903 premenopausal and 2,267 postmenopausal women in Korea. BMDs of the lumbar spine and femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Leisure-time PA levels were assessed by a self-administrated questionnaire, and a total metabolic equivalent (MET) score was obtained. Regardless of menopausal status, performing more than moderate levels of leisure-time PA or total MET score had a significant positive association with BMD at both the lumbar spine and femur. In the premenopausal group, women whose total MET score was 1,050-1,500 (MET-min/week) appeared to have the highest lumbar spine and femoral BMD (p < 0.001). The associations between PA level and lumbar spine and femoral BMD were also shown in the postmenopausal group (p < 0.001). In addition, we found dose-response relationships between increasing exercise level and femoral BMD in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Our results indicate that a more than moderate level of leisure-time PA plays a role in maintaining BMD.
authors: Molecular Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Insan-ro, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 410-769, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kyee-Zu
authors: KZ
authors: Kim
authors: Aesun
authors: A
authors: Shin
authors: Jeonghee
authors: J
authors: Lee
authors: Seung-Kwon
authors: SK
authors: Myung
authors: Jeongseon
authors: J
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology*