Association between self-reported walking speed and calcaneal stiffness index in postmenopausal Japanese women

Abstract

Background Osteoporosis and related fractures, a worldwide public health issue of growing concern, is characterized by compromised bone strength and an increased risk of fracture. Here we show an association between self-reported walking speed and bone mass among community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women aged 50 years and older. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,008 postmenopausal women who underwent a general medical check-up in 2014 and 2016 as recommended by the Japanese government. Self-reported walking speed was ascertained by asking the participants: “Is your walking speed faster than others of the same age and sex?” to which participants responded “yes (faster)” or “no (moderate/slower).” Calcaneal stiffness index was measured. Results Women with a faster self-reported walking speed were younger and had a lower BMI, higher stiffness index, and higher grip strength than women with a slower walking speed. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index, grip strength, comorbidity, current smoking, and alcohol drinking status showed a significant association between faster self-reported walking speed and higher calcaneal stiffness index (p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that questionnaires of walking speed may be useful for predicting bone mass and that a fast self-reported walking may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women.

Association between fat mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and bone mass by quantitative ultrasound in relation to grip strength and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in postmenopausal Japanese women: the Unzen study

“…The present study showed that grip strength was positively associated with SI. Previous study demonstrated a relationship between grip strength and a higher SI [28]. These results suggest that muscle strength, but not muscle mass, is important for the maintenance of bone mass in postmenopausal women.…”

“…We applied Pearson's product-moment correlations to assess for correlation among SI, fat mass, muscle mass, log (25(OH)D), log (TRACP-5b), log (PTH), and grip strength. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the effects of fat mass and muscle mass on SI, with adjustment for age, height, comorbidity, current smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise (Model 1) [11,28,29]. We added log (25(OH)D), log (TRACP-5b), log (PTH), and grip strength to model 1 (model 2) [30][31][32].…”