Vol 9, Issue 1

The Relationship between Aerobic Capacity and Bone Health in Young Women

January 1, 2016 - By 

Authors

Brittany R. Masteller, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Curt B. Dixon, Lock Haven University
Eric S. Rawson, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Joseph L. Andreacci, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
International Journal of Exercise Science 9(1): 56-63, 2016.
DOI: 10.70252/CHBO1307

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and bone health in young women. Eighty-three participants (age=21.0±2.2 years; BMI=22.4±3.0 kg/m2) reported for testing on two occasions separated by 48 hours. During visit 1 body composition assessment via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and during visit 2, a VO2max test performed on a motorized treadmill. Weak correlations were found between absolute VO2max (L/min) and whole-body bone mineral density (WB-BMD: r=0.24, p=0.031) and whole-body bone mineral content (WB-BMC: r=0.37, p<0.001). No relation between variables were observed when VO2max was expressed relative to body mass (mL/kg/min). Moderate correlations were observed between bone variables and body mass (WB-BMD: r=0.36, p<0.001; WB-BMC: r=0.62, p<0.001), fat-free mass (WB-BMD: r=0.45, p<0.001; WB-BMC: r=0.54, p<0.001), and fat mass (WB-BMD: r=0.31, p=0.004; WB-BMC: r=0.60, p<0.001). Body mass, regardless of composition, was a stronger predictor of bone health than aerobic capacity in this sample of young women.

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