Cross-sectional analysis of the health-related quality of life and physical fitness levels in aged Japanese women with low quantitative ultrasound values of the os calcaneus

Summary. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical fitness levels (PFLs) in elderly women with low bone mass and without fractures, with a further goal of developing preventive programs involving efficient exercises for osteoporotic fractures and falls. The subjects comprised 133 females over 65 years of age whose quantitative ultrasound (QUS)values were < 90% of the young adult means (YAM).Musclestrength (knee extensors, hand grip, and trunk flexors), flexibility, one-leg standing time with eyes open (one-leg stand), time required for a 10-mwalk while stepping over six obstacles (10-m walk), and 6-min walking distance (6-min walk) were measured to assess PFL. The subjects' HRQOL scores were relatively high (122.5 ± 15.5; maximum, 160points) despite their lowPFLs, as compared to the Japanese standard PFL in a similar age group. An age-adjusted stepwise multiple regression analysis between PFLs and QUS or HRQOLin 115subjects which all measurements were performed, revealed that the 10-mwalk significantly contributed to the QUS (R2= 0.152, p = 0.001) and to the total HRQOL score (R2 = 0.025, p = 0.039). With regard to the PFLs, the 6-min walk and one-leg stand contributed to the 10-m walk (R2= 0.470, p = 0.012).In conclusion, the 10-mwalk was observed to be a good indicator for the estimation ofHRQOL and PFLs; subsequently, balance exercise, brisk walking, and endurance walking are good exercisesthat can be included in preventive programs to maintain a high HRQOL.