We have investigated the level of physical activity of 49 women between the ages of 15 and 45 years who sustained a fracture of the neck of the femur at between 60 and 70 years of age, and compared this with the level of activity reported by 49 control subjects without fracture, who were matched for age and social status. We found that the patients had been significantly less physically active than the controls, especially as regards household duties and professional working conditions.

In a population-based study we identified a cohort of 282 women, whose children had been treated for osteoarthritis of the hip. The incidence of hip fracture in these mothers was 0.54 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.83) of that in the whole population of their age and sex. This finding could be explained by a genetic factor for increased rigidity of subchondral bone, making osteoarthritis more likely and osteoporosis less likely.