Influence of physical activity level on composite indices of femoral neck strength in a group of young overweight men

Abstract The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of physical activity level on composite indices of femoral neck strength (compression strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI) and impact strength index (ISI)) in a group of young overweight men. To do so, we compared composite indices of femoral neck strength in active overweight men and insufficiently active overweight men. They were divided into two groups based on their physical activity level: 70 active overweight men (engaging in more than 150 minutes of physical activity per week; 8.7 ± 4.8 h/week) and 26 insufficiently active overweight men (engaging in less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week; 1.2 ± 0.7 h/week). Height (m) and weight (kg) were measured, and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was calculated. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA at whole body, lumbar spine, total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN). Body weight, lean mass, fat mass and BMI were not significantly different between the two groups. CSI, BSI and ISI were significantly higher in active overweight men compared to insufficiently active overweight men. After adjustment for age, physical activity (h/week) and lean mass, only CSI remained higher in active overweight men compared to insufficiently active overweight men. This study suggests that, in young overweight men, being active (engaging in more than 150 minutes of physical activity per week) is associated with greater composite indices of femoral neck strength. To our knowledge, this is the first study that finds a significant difference regarding composite indices of femoral neck strength between two groups of young overweight men with different levels of physical activity.