Effect of physical activity on femoral bone density in men

Although most patients with osteoporosis are women, up to one third of hip fractures occur in men. There is little information about which factors influence bone density in men.1 Vigorous activity may lead to bone gain, while immobilisation causes bone loss. A sedentary lifestyle could, therefore, increase the risk of fractures.2 We therefore examined the relation between physical activity and bone density in normal men. One hundred and thirty seven healthy white men, comprising husbands of women attending our osteoporosis clinic, laboratory staff, and hospital workers who were enrolled in a normal bone study, listed their regular physical and sporting activities. Subjects taking drugs or with diseases likely to affect calcium metabolism were excluded. Forty eight were smokers (mean 15 cigarettes/day), and 120 drank alcohol (mean 8.6 g of alcohol/day). The time per week spent on each activity was …