The Relationship between Aerobic Fitness and Bone Health in College-Aged Women

Authors

B. Masteller, Bloomsburg UniversityFollow
C.B. Dixon, Lock Haven UniversityFollow
E.S. Rawson, Bloomsburg UniversityFollow
J.L. Andreacci, Bloomsburg UniversityFollow

Abstract

¹Masteller, B., ²Dixon, C.B., FACSM, ¹Rawson, E.S., FACSM, ¹Andreacci, J.L., FACSM. ¹Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA, ²Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA

Purpose: To examine the relationship between body composition, cardiovascular fitness and bone mineral content (BMC) in college-aged women. Methods: Thirty-nine women (age = 21.5 ± 2.2 years; body mass index = 23.0 ± 3.4 kg/m²) reported for testing on two occasions separated by 48 hrs: (1) body composition assessment via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); and (2) a maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) test performed on a motorized treadmill. Results: Of the 39 subjects tested, 34 achieved VO_2max according to standardized criteria and included in data analysis. Statistical analyses revealed no relation between VO_2max and BMC (r = 0.185, p = 0.294). As expected, a positive correlation was observed between body mass and BMC (r = 0.825, p < 0.001). Although both significant, absolute fat mass (r = 0.660, p < 0.001) was more strongly correlated to BMC than was percent body fat (r = 0.527, p = 0.001). Interestingly, no association between fat free mass and BMC was observed in this study (r = 0.291, p = 0.095). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a positive relationship between body mass, and more specifically fat mass, and BMC. However, no relationship was observed between fat free mass and VO_2max on BMC.

Recommended Citation

Masteller, B.; Dixon, C.B.; Rawson, E.S.; and Andreacci, J.L. (2014) "The Relationship between Aerobic Fitness and Bone Health in College-Aged Women," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 9: Iss. 2, Article 49.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol9/iss2/49