High-impact exercise in adulthood and vertebral dimensions in midlife:the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

• Main Authors: Oura, P. (Petteri), Paananen, M. (Markus), Niinimäki, J. (Jaakko), Tammelin, T. (Tuija), Auvinen, J. (Juha), Korpelainen, R. (Raija), Karppinen, J. (Jaro), Junno, J.-A. (Juho-Antti)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2017
• Subjects: Osteoporosis; cohort study; lumbar spine; magnetic resonance imaging; sports participation; vertebral size; Northern Finland
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe2019091728449

Abstract Background: Vertebral size and especially cross-sectional area (CSA) are independently associated with vertebral fracture risk. Previous studies have suggested that physical activity and especially high-impact exercise may affect vertebral strength. We aimed to investigate the association between high-impact exercise at 31 and 46 years of age and vertebral dimensions in midlife. Methods: We used a subsample of 1023 individuals from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study with records of self-reported sports participation from 31 and 46 years and MRI-derived data on vertebral dimensions from 46 years. Based on the sports participation data, we constructed three impact categories (high, mixed, low) that represented longitudinal high-impact exercise activity in adulthood. We used linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to analyse the association between high-impact exercise and vertebral CSA, with adjustments for vertebral height and body mass index. Results: Participation in high-impact sports was associated with large vertebral CSA among women but not men. The women in the ‘mixed’ group had 36.8 (95% confidence interval 11.2–62.5) mm² larger CSA and the women in the ‘high’ group 43.2 (15.2–71.1) mm² larger CSA than the ‘low’ group. Conclusions: We suggest that participation (≥ 1/week) in one or more high-impact sports in adulthood is associated with larger vertebral size, and thus increased vertebral strength, among middle-aged women.