Age influences anthropometric and fitness-related predictors of bone mineral in men

Objective. This study assessed the influence of age on the predictors of bone mineral in men.Methods. Middle-age (n = 41, 54 ± 4 yrs) and older (n = 40, 69 ± 5 yrs) men underwent grip and knee extensor strength tests, total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with regional analyses and a graded exercise treadmill test.Results. Bone-free lean mass (BFLM) and, to a lesser extent, fat mass (FM) were correlated with bone mineral variables in middle-age men. In older men, BFLM and, to a lesser extent, FM were related to bone mineral content (BMC) at most sites, but inconsistently to bone mineral density (BMD). Knee extensor strength related to bone mineral (BMC and BMD) at most sites in middle-age men, but none in older men. Grip strength inconsistently related to bone mineral in both groups. Aerobic capacity related to bone mineral in middle-age men, but none in older men. In multiple regression, body weight or BFLM predicted bone mineral in middle-age men (R2 = 0.33–0.68) and BMC in older men (R2 = 0.33–0....