Purpose: Given the lack of research investigating surfing and bone health, we aimed to assess the bone mineral density (BMD) of middle-aged and older surfers.
Patients and methods: In a cross-sectional observational design, we compared a group of middle-aged and older surfers to a group of non-surfers, age- and sex-matched controls. Participants were males, aged between 50 and 75 years. Volunteers were assessed for body mass index, bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ) scores, daily calcium intake, and alcohol intake. Primary outcomes included BMD at the femur and lumbar spine (LS), and T-score, assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone biomarkers were also analyzed.
Results: A total of 104 participants (59 surfers and 45 controls) were assessed. Groups were similar with regards to all demographic characteristics except for percentage of lean mass (higher in surfers, mean difference [MD] +2.57%; 95% CI 0.05–5.09; p=0.046) and current BPAQ score (lower in surfers; MD −0.967; 95% CI −0.395 to −1.539; p=0.001). Surfers had a mean surfing experience of 41.2 (SD ±11.8) years and mean surfing exposure of 26.9 (SD ±15.0) hours/month. Controls were divided into two groups, according to their main physical activity: weight-bearing/high intensity (WBHI) and non-weight-bearing/low intensity (NWBLI). When compared to NWBLI controls, surfers had higher LS BMD (MD +0.064; 95% CI 0.002–0.126; p=0.041) and higher T-score (MD +0.40; 95% CI 0.01–0.80; p=0.042); however, surfers had a lower T-score than the WBHI group (MD −0.52; 95% CI −0.02 to −1.0; p=0.039). No other differences were found between groups.
Conclusion: The findings of this study support our hypothesis that regular surfing may be an effective physical activity for middle-aged and older men to decrease bone deterioration related to aging, as we identified positive results for surfers in relation to primary outcomes.

Keywords: surfing, bone mineral density, osteoporosis, DXA, preventive medicine, sports medicine



中文翻译：

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中老年人冲浪者的骨骼健康

目的：由于缺乏研究冲浪和骨骼健康的研究，我们旨在评估中老年冲浪者的骨矿物质密度（BMD）。
患者和方法：在横断面观察设计中，我们将一组中年和老年冲浪者与一组非冲浪者，年龄和性别相匹配的对照进行了比较。参加者为男性，年龄在50至75岁之间。评估志愿者的体重指数，特定于骨的体育活动问卷（BPAQ）得分，每日钙摄入量和酒精摄入量。主要结局包括通过双能X线吸收法评估的股骨和腰椎（LS）的BMD和T评分。还分析了骨生物标志物。
结果：总共对104位参与者（59位冲浪者和45位对照）进行了评估。除瘦体重百分比（冲浪者较高，平均差异[MD] + 2.57％； 95％CI 0.05–5.09；p = 0.046）和当前的BPAQ得分（冲浪者较低； MD）外，其他人群在所有人口统计学特征上均相似。 -0.967； 95％CI -0.395至-1.53​​9；p = 0.001）。冲浪者的平均冲浪经历为41.2（SD±11.8）年，平均冲浪接触时间为26.9（SD±15.0）小时/月。根据对照组的主要身体活动将其分为两组：负重/高强度（WBHI）和非负重/低强度（NWBLI）。与NWBLI对照相比，冲浪者的LS BMD更高（MD +0.064； 95％CI 0.002-0.126；p= 0.041）和更高的T评分（MD +0.40； 95％CI 0.01–0.80；p = 0.042）；然而，冲浪者的T分数低于WBHI组（MD -0.52； 95％CI -0.02至-1.0；p = 0.039）。两组之间没有发现其他差异。
结论：这项研究的发现支持了我们的假设，即定期冲浪可能是中老年男性减少与衰老有关的骨质退化的有效体育活动，因为我们确定了冲浪者与主要结局相关的积极结果。

关键词：冲浪，骨矿物质密度，骨质疏松，DXA，预防医学，运动医学