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Relationship of Extremity Muscle Torque and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

C Zimmermann, MPT, is Physical Therapist, Mercy Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Muskegon, MI 49441.
G Smidt, PhD, PT, FAPTA, is Professor, Physical Therapy Education, College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, 2600 Steindler Bldg, Iowa City, IA 52242 (USA). He is inventor of the MEED 3000 system and President of Spark Instruments and Academics Inc.
J Brooks, MPT, is Physical Therapist, Quad City Regional Spine institute, 3906 Lillie Ave, Davenport, IA 52806.
W Kinsey, MPT, is Physical Therapist, Park Nicollet Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55416.
T Eekhoff, MPT, is Physical Therapist, Washoe Medical Center, 77 Pringle Way, Reno, NV 89502.
Mr Zimmermann, Mr Brooks, Mr Kinsey, and Mr Eekhoff were graduate students in Physical Therapy Education, College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, when this study was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for their Master of Arts in Physical Therapy degrees.

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations between the torque of four extremity muscle groups and the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women. Fifty-six postmenopausal women ( age = 55.4 years, s = 7.1; height = 162.6 cm, s = 6.4; weight = 65.9 kg, s = 9.3) served as subjects. Bone mineral density was measured from the L2-L4 vertebral bodies, greater trochanter, femoral neck, and Ward's triangle using dual-photon absorptiometry. Hip abduction, knee extension, hip flexion, and grip force were assessed using the Spark Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter (MEED) 3000 system. The Pearson product-moment correlations between muscle torque and BMD ranged from .07 to .42. The significant (p < .05) correlations between torque and BMD (r = .27–.42) occurred in functionally and anatomically related areas. Results of this study demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between torque and BMD in anatomically related areas in postmenopausal women. This relationship, however, is not sufficiently strong to allow for prediction of BMD from the four muscle groups tested in this study. The relationship does suggest that strength may be a factor in the determination of BMD. Maintenance of strength in those muscle groups with anatomical or functional relationships to the hip and lumbar spine may play a role in the prevention and cessation of the osteoporotic changes that occur.

Key Words: Bone and bones • Menopause • Muscle performance, measurement • Osteoporosis • Torsion

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