No abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the interaction of physical activity (PA) and protein intake is associated with physical function (PF). The women from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Fracture Prevention Study (n 610) completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors and PA and underwent PF and body composition measurements at baseline (BL) and over 3 years of follow-up (3y-FU). PA was categorised according to WHO cut-off PA = 0, 0 < PA < 2·5 and PA ≥ 2·5 h/week. Protein intake was calculated from the 3-d food record at baseline and categorised according to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations <1·1 and ≥1·1 g/kg body weight (BW). The results showed in univariate ANOVA at the baseline and at the 3-year follow-up, women with high PA ≥ 2·5 h/week and protein intake ≥ 1·1 g/kg BW had higher grip strength adjusted for BMI, higher mean number of chair rises, faster mean walking speed, higher modified mean short physical performance battery score and lower mean fat mass compared with other interaction groups. High PA and protein intake were associated with lower BMI despite significantly higher energy intake. In conclusion, higher PA and protein intake interaction was associated with greater PF and lower fat mass, but the association with relative skeletal muscle index and muscle mass was inconclusive. The present study gives noteworthy information for preventing sarcopenia.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association of hormonal contraception and other life-style factors and habits affecting body composition (BC) and muscle strength. Study design:We measured the body composition of 400 healthy Finnish women (aged 20-40 years) using total body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (TB-DXA) as well as grip strength (GS [kPa]) with a hand-held dynamometer and knee extension strength (KES [kg]) between 2011 and 2014. Investigated body composition variables were appendicular skeletal mass (ASM [kg]), body mass index (BMI [kg/m 2 ]), relative skeletal muscle index (RSMI [ASM/m 2 ]), total lean mass (TLM [kg]), skeletal muscle index (SMI [TLM/weight x 100]) and fat-%. Participants filled out a questionnaire concerning life-style factors and habits: hormonal contraception, physical activity, alcohol consumption, age, pregnancies, smoking and self-assessed health that were also adjusting factors in the covariate model.We investigated the effects of hormonal contraception and other life-style factors and habits on body composition and muscle strength using AN(C)OVA in the analyses.Results: Women using hormonal contraception with the combination of ethinyl estradiol + progestogen had significantly lower mean ASM (18.0), RSMI (6.5), TLM (40.8) (p < 0.01) and GS (34.6) (p < 0.001) compared to the women not using hormonal contraception with mean values of ASM (18.8), RSMI (6.7), TLM (42.6) and GS (36.9). After adjustment ASM (18.3), SMI (64.3), GS (35.2) (p < 0.05), RSMI (6.6) and TLM (41.2) (p < 0.01) were significantly lower and fat-% (31.4) higher (p < 0.05) compared to women not using hormonal contraception with mean values of ASM (19.0), SMI (66.1), GS (36.7), RSMI (6.8), TLM (42.7) and fat-% (29.8). Conclusion:Use of ethinyl estradiol + progestogen-containing hormonal contraception may have negative association with muscle mass and strength.

Effects of SHDs on BMD, GS, and mobility are disease-specific. Thus, rehabilitation should be encouraged in postmenopausal women with SHD, especially in case of diseases of respiratory and nervous system. Implications for Rehabilitation Osteoporosis, muscle strength and co-morbidity Women with severe health disorders (SHD) leading to work disability have impaired musculoskeletal health. Active monitoring of the musculoskeletal health is advised for those with SHD. Women with SHD may benefit from rehabilitative treatment in order to avoid complications of musculoskeletal impairments.