CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF MUSCLE STRENGTH AND BONE-MINERAL DENSITY IN A POPULATION OF 106 WOMEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 44 AND 87 YEARS - RELATIONSHIP WITH AGE AND MENOPAUSE

This study examined the correlations between isokinetic muscle strengt h of knee and elbow flexors and extensors with vertebral and femoral b one mineral density in a population of 106 women between the ages of 4 4 and 87 years. The absolute value of muscle strength correlated signi ficantly with bone mineral density; muscle strength of the upper limb appeared to be more closely correlated with bone mass, while muscle st rength in the lower limb was more specific for femoral mineral bone de nsity, The most important finding that these results demonstrated was a concomitant decline in muscle strength of the upper limb and bone mi neral density between the 5th and 6th decades. In contrast, they also showed a decline in muscle strength of the lower limbs after the 6th d ecade, occurring before the decline in bone mineral density observed b etween the 7th and 8th decades. From these results it would appear tha t other studies are required to examine the relationship between the e ssentially hormonal role in postmenopausal decline in muscle strength and the decline in physical activity during the senile period. These e lements are important because they must be taken into account in physi cal exercise programmes designed to prevent osteoporosis. ,