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Regular exercise and high calcium intake possibly help to preserve bone mass. Little is known, however, about their role in preventing hip fracture. The physical activity and calcium intake of 300 elderly men and women with hip fractures were compared with those of 600 controls matched for age and sex. In both sexes increased daily activity, including standing, walking, climbing stairs, carrying, housework, and gardening protected against fracture. This was independent of other known risk factors, including body mass, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. Strength of grip correlated with activity and was inversely related to the risk of fracture. Calcium intake was not related to the risk of fracture in women. Men with daily calcium intakes above 1g had lower risks. These findings point to the importance of elderly people in Britain maintaining physical activity in their day to day lives.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/bmj.297.6661.1443

Type

Journal article

Journal

Bmj

Publication Date

03/12/1988

Volume

297

Pages

1443 - 1446

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Calcium, Dietary, Exercise, Female, Femoral Fractures, Hip Fractures, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Muscles, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, United Kingdom