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Pedometer determined ambulatory activity and bone mass: a population-based longitudinal study in older adults

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Abstract

Summary

In this large population-based study, walking was assessed twice yearly for a week, each time by pedometer, had consistent clinically important associations with hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in both sexes which appears most important in those over 65 years of age suggesting that walking becomes more important with increasing age.

Introduction

Walking is advocated as a preventative strategy for osteoporosis but the evidence is conflicting in females and lacking in males. The aim of this population-based longitudinal study in community dwelling older people (n = 875) was to determine the association between pedometer determined ambulatory activity (PAA) and bone mass.

Methods

Bone mass was assessed as aBMD at the hip and spine using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Steps per day were measured using pedometers for 1 week on four occasions at least 6 months apart. Data were analysed using linear mixed models.

Results

At baseline, PAA was positively associated with hip aBMD. An age interaction was present with steps having a stronger association for those aged over 65 years. Longitudinally, the effect of steps on hip aBMD was constant, but not additive over time. For those over 65 years, the difference in hip aBMD between the lowest and highest steps quartiles ranged from 3.1% to 9.4%. With regard to the spine, the relationship between daily steps and spine aBMD was modified by sex. For males; there was no significant relationship between steps and spine aBMD. However, for females, higher steps were associated with higher spine aBMD with the effect being constant over time but not additive. There was no evidence of a threshold effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pedometer-determined ambulatory activity has consistent clinically important associations with hip aBMD in both sexes which appears most important in those over 65 years of age. The associations for spine aBMD were both weaker and inconsistent suggesting site specificity.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the role of Catrina Boon in the coordination of fieldwork and Jenny Cochrane’s for her assistance with the pedometer data. Also, a special ‘thank you’ to the subjects who made this study possible.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, 7001

    S. Foley, S. Quinn & G. Jones

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  1. S. Foley
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  2. S. Quinn
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  3. G. Jones
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Jones.

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Sources of support

National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Tasmanian Community Fund, Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation, Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, and Arthritis Foundation of Australia

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Foley, S., Quinn, S. & Jones, G. Pedometer determined ambulatory activity and bone mass: a population-based longitudinal study in older adults. Osteoporos Int 21, 1809–1816 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-1137-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-1137-1

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