title: The effects of age, physical activity level, and body anthropometry on calcaneal speed of sound value in men.
abstract: The influences of age, physical activity, and body anthropometry on calcaneal speed of sound are different among young adults, middle-aged, and elderly men.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Quantitative ultrasound assessment of bone health status is much needed for developing countries in the screening of osteoporosis, but further studies on the factors that influence the quantitative ultrasound indices are required.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study examined the influence of age, lifestyle factors, and body anthropometry on calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) in a group of Malaysian men of diverse age range.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data from 687 eligible males were used for analysis. They answered a detailed questionnaire on their physical activity status, and their anthropometric measurements were taken. Their calcaneal SOS values were evaluated using the CM-200 sonometer (Furuno, Nishinomiya City, Japan).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with higher body mass index (BMI) had higher calcaneal SOS values albeit significant difference was only found in the elderly subjects (p < 0.05). Sedentary subjects had lower calcaneal SOS values than physically active subjects, but significant difference was only found in the middle-aged subjects (p < 0.05). Calcaneal SOS was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with age in young men; height, BMI, and physical activity score in middle-aged men; height and physical activity score in elderly men; and age and physical activity score for overall subjects. In a multivariate regression model, significant (p < 0.05) predictors for calcaneal SOS included age for young men; physical activity, BMI, body fat percentage, and height for middle-aged men; height for elderly men; and age, height, physical activity, weight, and body fat percentage for overall subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age, body anthropometry, and physical activity level have significant effects on the calcaneal SOS value in men.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kok-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Ima-Nirwana
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Soelaiman
authors.forename: Isa Naina
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Suraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Wan Zurinah
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Wan Ngah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult