BONE MINERAL DENSITY AND BODY COMPOSITION IN ELDERLY RUNNERS: SIX-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

DENSIDADE MINERAL ÓSSEA E COMPOSIÇÃO CORPORAL DE IDOSOS CORREDORES: FOLLOW-UP DE SEIS ANOS

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition over a six-year period in elderly long-distance runners.

Methods:

We analyzed the medical records of elderly athletes who were long-distance runners, were participants of the IOT-HCFMUSP Orthogeriatric Group, and had their BMD evaluated between 2001 and 2007; of these athletes, 11 were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: athletes should be long-distance runners, should not stop long-distance running during the six-year period, and should have undergone BMD and body composition evaluations. Body composition was evaluated using bone densitometry with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with a Lunar-DPX device.

Results:

Over the six-year period, body composition remained stable, but there was a significant increase only in the fat percentage (p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

Long-distance running may maintain BMD but may lead to an increase in the fat percentage in elderly runners. Level of Evidence II; Prognostic Study - Investigating the Effect of Patient Characteristics on Disease Outcome.

Keywords:
Bone mineral density; Body composition; Running; Elderly