Patterns of historical physical activity and the impact on current status of osteoporosis in the older population.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-28)Chronic diseases are of major concern in public health and are huge contributing factors for high healthcare expenditures; however, this study focuses on osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures are associated with pain, disability, and societal dependency with estimated annual costs in the United States of $7 to $20 billion. Therefore, it is highly significant to study preventive measures in young and early adulthood to decrease the likelihood of osteoporosis at an older age. This study's intention is to recognize if osteoporosis risks are preventable or significantly reduced with physical activity and its potential impact of future osteoporosis. METHODS: Participants: 1682 Rancho Bernardo, California residents participated in a longevity study between years 1972 and 2011 with ongoing study. Exactly 688 participants were male (40.9%) and 994 (59.1%) were female. All participants were between 55 - 90 years old. Measurement: A Paffenbarger (modified) questionnaire was used to obtain former and current exercise information, including frequency and level of physical activity. Physical activity level is categorized as mild, moderate, or vigorous. Osteoporosis status was defined as normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis dependent upon bone mineral density (BMD) measurement using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). After controlling for risk factors, multiple logistical regression was used to determine the association between past physical activity and occurrence of osteoporosis. RESULTS: People who had past moderate or vigorous physical activity at least 5 times a week are 0.627 times as likely to develop osteoporosis than people who do not engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least 5 times a week. People 71-80 years of age were 0.200 times as likely to develop osteoporosis than people age 55-70 (OR= 0.200; 95% CI: 0.124~0.321) and people 81-90 years of age were 0.481 times as likely to develop osteoporosis than those who were 55-70 (OR= 0.481; 95% CI: 0.291~0.794). Men are 0.529 times as likely to develop osteoporosis as females or older old people who engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least 5 times a week (OR= 0.529; 95% CI: 0.392~0.713). CONCLUSION: Past moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 times a week during age 30s -- 50s is associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD) at older years. These data suggest a protective effect of current and lifelong physical activity on hip BMD in older men and women