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Exercise frequency and calcium intake predict 4-year bone changes in postmenopausal women

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the association of exercise frequency and calcium intake (CI) with change in regional and total bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of postmenopausal women completing 4 years of progressive strength training. One hundred sixty-seven calcium-supplemented (800 mg/day) sedentary women (56.1±4.5 years) randomized to a progressive strength training exercise program or to control were followed for 4 years. Fifty-four percent of the women were using hormone therapy (HT) at baseline. At 1 year, controls were permitted to begin the exercise program (crossovers). The final sample included 23 controls, 55 crossovers, and 89 randomized exercisers. Exercisers were instructed to complete two sets of six to eight repetitions of exercises at 70–80% of one repetition maximum, three times weekly. BMD was measured at baseline and thereafter annually using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Four-year percentage exercise frequency (ExFreq) averaged 26.8%±20.1% for crossovers (including the first year at 0%), and 50.4%±26.7% for exercisers. Four-year total CI averaged 1,635±367 mg/day and supplemental calcium intake, 711±174 mg/day. In adjusted multiple linear regression models, ExFreq was positively and significantly related to changes in femur trochanter (FT) and neck (FN), lumbar spine (LS), and total body (TB) BMD. Among HT users, FT BMD increased 1.5%, and FN and LS BMD, 1.2% ( p <0.01) for each standard deviation (SD) of percentage ExFreq (29.5% or 0.9 days/week). HT non-users gained 1.9% and 2.3% BMD at FT and FN, respectively, ( p <0.05) for every SD of CI. The significant, positive, association between BMD change and ExFreq supports the long-term usefulness of strength training exercise for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, especially HT users. The positive relationship of CI to change in BMD among postmenopausal women not using HT has clinical implications in light of recent evidence of an increased health risk associated with HT.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by NIH AR39939 and Mission Pharmacal. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Mission Pharmacal (San Antonio, TX, USA) for the generous donation of calcium supplements (Citracal(r)) for the study. The authors wish to express the sincere appreciation to the BEST study participants for their many contributions and dedication to improving women’s health

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Ellen C. Cussler, Scott B. Going, Robert M. Blew, Lauve L. Metcalfe, Ji-Eun Choi & Timothy G. Lohman

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Scott B. Going, Linda B. Houtkooper & Vanessa A. Stanford

  3. Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences, Kasiska College of Health Professions, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA

    Hilary G. Flint-Wagner

  4. Department of Physiology, Ina Gittings Building, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Timothy G. Lohman

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  1. Ellen C. Cussler
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Correspondence to Timothy G. Lohman.

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Cussler, E.C., Going, S.B., Houtkooper, L.B. et al. Exercise frequency and calcium intake predict 4-year bone changes in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int 16, 2129–2141 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-2014-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-2014-1

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