Adolescent Sport Participation and Age at Menarche in Relation to Midlife Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Fitness, and Physical Activity

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the associations of competitive sport participation in adolescence and age at menarche (AAM) with body composition, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), physical performance, and physical activity (PA) in middle-aged women. 1098 women aged 47–55 years formed the sample of this retrospective study. Participants self-reported their PA level at age 13–16 years and AAM. The protocol also included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, physical performance tests, and accelerometer-measured PA. Participants were divided into three groups according to their PA level at the age of 13–16 (no exercise, regular PA, and competitive sport) and according to their AAM (≤12, 13, and ≥14 years). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, participation in competitive sport at age 13–16 was associated with higher midlife lean mass and BMD, and better physical performance compared to groups with no exercise or regular PA. Individuals with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower midlife BMI and fat mass than participants in the other AAM groups and pre- and perimenopausal women with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower BMD than those with AAM ≤ 12. The findings indicate that participation in competitive sport in adolescence is associated with healthier body composition, higher BMD, and better physical performance in midlife, but BMD might be impaired if menarche occurs late.

Physical Activity at Growth Induces Bone Mass Benefits Into Adulthood – A Fifteen‐Year Prospective Controlled Study

“…(6)(7)(8)14,15) A high level of PA in childhood is also associated with high peak bone mass (6)(7)(8) and low fracture incidence in adulthood. (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) This is reasonable, as 50% of the variance in bone mass in old age is predicted by peak bone mass (22) and a 10% increase in peak bone mass delays osteoporosis by 13 years. (23) Others question this view, reporting that PA-induced high bone mass is attenuated if the level of activity is reduced.…”

Musculoskeletal Benefits from a Physical Activity Program in Primary School are Retained 4 Years after the Program is Terminated

“…Some studies infer that reduced level of PA is followed by greater loss in bone mass than expected with age [ 16 , 21 , 22 ]. Others oppose this view, with reports indicating that exercise-induced bone mass benefits in young years are retained in adulthood [ 12 – 16 , 23 , 24 ], and that children with a high level of PA during growth have a lower fracture incidence in adulthood [ 12 , 13 , 15 , 16 ]. These studies, however, included individuals with a self-selected high level of PA, who already at baseline had high bone mass and superior muscle function [ 12 – 16 , 21 – 24 ].…”

“…Some studies infer that a cessation of high level of PA is followed by greater loss in bone mass than expected by age [ 16 , 21 , 22 ]. Others, however, found that bone mass benefits are retained [ 12 – 16 , 23 , 24 ]. Due to the conflicting results, there is a need for longitudinal controlled studies that follow individuals from before PA intervention, during the period with PA intervention and after the termination of PA intervention.…”

Downturn in Childhood Bone Mass: A Cross‐Sectional Study Over Four Decades

“…(10,11) Peak bone mass is further estimated to predict 50% of the variance in bone mass at old age, (12) and a 10% increase in peak bone mass delays the development of osteoporosis by 13 years. (13) It is therefore possible that increased physical activity, initiated before or in early puberty, could counteract osteoporosis (10,11) and decrease fracture risk in adulthood. (3,7,10,11) Despite the above knowledge, physical inactivity has reached enormous proportions.…”

“…(13) It is therefore possible that increased physical activity, initiated before or in early puberty, could counteract osteoporosis (10,11) and decrease fracture risk in adulthood. (3,7,10,11) Despite the above knowledge, physical inactivity has reached enormous proportions. (14,15) This type of inactivity may continue further as screen time activity through computers, tablets, and smart phones is increasing, (14) nowadays covering as much as 40% to 60% of all sitting time for children.…”