Physical activity and osteoporotic hip fracture risk in men

Background: Physical activity has been related to reduced risk of osteoporo tic hip fractures, but the evidence among men is weak. Objective: To determine the association between baseline leisure physical a ctivity and future risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men. Methods: At baseline in 1975 our prospective study cohort included 3262 men who were 44 years or older and did not have chronic disease restricting th eir ability to exercise. At baseline, physical activity was assessed by a q uestionnaire. Hip fractures were followed for 21 years, or from the age of 50 years for subjects who were initially younger than 50 years. Results: The hazard ratio of osteoporotic hip fracture, adjusted for other possible predictors (height, body mass index, baseline diseases, smoking, u se of alcohol, work-related physical activity, and occupational group), in men participating in vigorous physical activity compared with men not parti cipating was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.91) (P =.03). Conclusion: These results provide further evidence that there is an inverse association between baseline physical activity and future hip fracture ris k among men.