A1 Journal article (refereed)
Adolescent Sport Participation and Age at Menarche in Relation to Midlife Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Fitness, and Physical Activity (2020)

Ravi, S., Kujala, U. M., Tammelin, T. H., Hirvensalo, M., Kovanen, V., Valtonen, M., Waller, B., Aukee, P., Sipilä, S., & Laakkonen, E. K. (2020). Adolescent Sport Participation and Age at Menarche in Relation to Midlife Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Fitness, and Physical Activity. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(12), Article 3797. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9123797

JYU authors or editors

Ravi, Suvi
Kujala, Urho
Hirvensalo, Mirja
Kovanen, Vuokko
Sipilä, Sarianna
Laakkonen, Eija

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ravi, Suvi; Kujala, Urho M.; Tammelin, Tuija H.; Hirvensalo, Mirja; Kovanen, Vuokko; Valtonen, Maarit; Waller, Benjamin; Aukee, Pauliina; Sipilä, Sarianna; Laakkonen, Eija K.

Journal or series: Journal of Clinical Medicine

eISSN: 2077-0383

Publication year: 2020

Publication date: 24/11/2020

Volume: 9

Issue number: 12

Article number: 3797

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9123797

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72819

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the associations of competitive sport participation in adolescence and age at menarche (AAM) with body composition, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), physical performance, and physical activity (PA) in middle-aged women. 1098 women aged 47–55 years formed the sample of this retrospective study. Participants self-reported their PA level at age 13–16 years and AAM. The protocol also included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, physical performance tests, and accelerometer-measured PA. Participants were divided into three groups according to their PA level at the age of 13–16 (no exercise, regular PA, and competitive sport) and according to their AAM (≤12, 13, and ≥14 years). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, participation in competitive sport at age 13–16 was associated with higher midlife lean mass and BMD, and better physical performance compared to groups with no exercise or regular PA. Individuals with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower midlife BMI and fat mass than participants in the other AAM groups and pre- and perimenopausal women with AAM ≥ 14 years had lower BMD than those with AAM ≤ 12. The findings indicate that participation in competitive sport in adolescence is associated with healthier body composition, higher BMD, and better physical performance in midlife, but BMD might be impaired if menarche occurs late.

Keywords: athletes; women; puberty; menstruation; body composition; bone density; performance (capacity); physical activity; youth; middle age