Direct effects of physical training on markers of bone metabolism and serum sclerostin concentrations in older adults with low bone mass

Table 2 Baseline characteristics of the participants

Variables	RG (n = 50)	WG (n = 50)	CG (n = 50)	P value
Age, years	60.2 ± 6.9	58.7 ± 6.3	57.8 ± 8.4	0.15
Height, cm	162.6 ± 9.8	159.6 ± 6.4	161.7 ± 5.0	0.06
Weight, kg	69.7 ± 11.8	72.7 ± 14.8	69.5 ± 13.0	0.41
BMI, kg/m²	26.3 ± 5.4	27.2 ± 6.1	28.1 ± 3.9	0.24
T-score	−2.2 ± 0.7	−1.9 ± 0.9	−2.1 ± 0.7	0.31
PTH, pmol/L	5.0 ± 1.6	5.7 ± 2.6	4.9 ± 1.7	0.21
25-OH-D, nmol/L	25.8 ± 11.2	27.1 ± 17.6	26.8 ± 16.0	0.16
Resting heart rate, /min	75 ± 6.2	74 ± 7.1	76 ± 4.7	0.38
Number that occasionally consume alcohol, %^a	19 (38 %)	16 (32 %)	12 (40 %)	0.43
Number that consume coffee, %^a,^b	31 (62 %)	37 (74 %)	23 (76 %)	0.21
Smokers, %^a	5 (10 %)	6 (12 %)	3 (10 %)	0.43
Physical activity, kcal/week^c	3075 ± 1546	3150 ± 1687	3190 ± 1543	0.54

Values are means ± SD
Abbreviations: RG resistance exercise group, WG walking group, CG control group, BMI body mass index, PTH parathyroid hormone, 25-OH-D 25-hydroxy vitamin D
^aAs assessed by baseline questionnaire (prospective participants who consumed more than the occasional alcoholic drink were ineligible for this study)
^bMinimum 1 cup of strong black coffee daily
^cFrom the International Physical Activity Questionnaire

ISSN: 1471-2474