It's hip to walk
Title: Physical activity and inactivity and risk of hip fractures in men
Authors: Feskanich, D, Flint, A and Willett, W
Journal: American Journal of Public Health
Date: 2014
Impact Factor: 3.9
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Why they did it?
Hip fractures occur when the femur (the long bone running through the thigh) fractures near the hip joint, most commonly as a result of a fall. As well as having a high impact on someone’s personal life, hip fractures pose a significant burden on the public health system. Hip fractures are often caused by a chronic disease called osteoporosis, which is defined as a ‘progressive bone disease that is characterised by a decrease in bone mass and density’. As we age, our risk of both falling and osteoporosis increases. Hence, older adults are particularly prone to hip fractures. Regular physical activity is known to reduce the risk of hip fractures. The aim of this longitudinal study was to follow a group of older males over a 24 year period to examine what are the factors that contribute to hip fractures.
How they did it?
Participants were from the US Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which involved 35,996 men aged > 50 years. Every 2 years between 1986 & 2010, participants reported their time spent walking, sitting and in 10 other physical activity-related activities (moderate/heavy occupational activity, sport participation, usual walking pace etc.). Data were collected on prevalence of hip fractures among the sample. A statistical analysis assessed the risk of hip fractures and adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, medication use, disease diagnoses, and diet.
What they found?
Over the 24 year period, there were 490 hip fractures. More walking time, with little other exercise, lowered risk of hip fractures by 43%. In particular, when compared to those who walked for <1 hour/week, men who walked for >4 hours/week had a lower the risk of hip fractures by over half. Surprisingly, time spent in vigorous-intensity exercise and sport participation did not result in lower risk of hip fractures.
Ok, what does this mean to me?
Exercise professionals should highlight the fact that physical activity does not necessarily need to be vigorous-intensity to reduce the risk of hip fractures. In this study of older men, engaging in walking for > 4 hours/week was sufficient to prevent hip fractures. This message is particularly important for older adults (>50 years) who may have difficulty adhering to vigorous-intensity exercise programs.
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