Association between long-term exercise with different osteogenic index, dietary patterns, body composition, biological factors, and bone mineral density in female elite masters athletes

This study evaluated the association between long-term exercise with different osteogenic index, dietary patterns, body composition, biological factors, and bone mineral density (BMD) in 199 female elite masters athletes endurance athletes (EA), speed-power athletes (SPA), and throwing athletes (TA). Bone parameters in the distal (dis) and proximal (prox) parts of the forearm were measured by densitometry. Body compositions were analyzed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Biological factors and lifetime bone fracture status were rated via face-to-face interviews. Dietary patterns and usual dietary intake were assessed using a semiquantitative NHANES Food Frequency Questionnaire. In female elite masters athletes the main parameters affecting BMD dis were age at menopause (small effect: η² = 0.03), number of fractures (small effect: η² = 0.05), number of dairy products per day (small effect: η² = 0.05), type of dietary pattern (small effect: η² = 0.04) and sport competition, type by OI (small effect: η² = 0.03). BMD prox was affected by age at menarche (medium effect: η² = 0.096), age at menopause (large effect: η² = 0.12), past fractures (small effect: η² = 0.02), dairy product (large effect: η² = 0.13), type of dietary pattern (small effect: η² = 0.04) and sports competition (medium effect: η² = 0.06). In both groups of women, EA and SPA dietary pattern with high intake of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, nuts, and legumes had a greater mean BMD. In contrast, in the TA group dietary pattern with lactose-free, and gluten-free determined higher mean BMD. Late menarche determined higher mean BMD in all groups of women, especially in TA. Physical activity helps maintain bone mineralization during aging. The long-term effects of athletic training, especially exercises such as throwing, have been confirmed in these studies. It is therefore worth considering popularizing these exercises for healthy aging.