Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Use of factor analysis to model relationships between bone mass and physical, dietary, and metabolic factors in frail and pre-frail older adults.

Esteves, Gabriel P.; Swinton, Paul; Sale, Craig; Gualano, Bruno; Roschel, Hamilton; Dolan, Eimear

Authors

Gabriel P. Esteves

Craig Sale

Bruno Gualano

Hamilton Roschel

Eimear Dolan



Abstract

Bone mass and quality declines with age, and can culminate in osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. This investigation modelled associations between bone and physical, dietary, and metabolic factors in a group of 200 pre-frail/frail older adults using factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to compose factors and to assess their robustness. SEM was used to quantify associations between bone and the other factors. Factors arising from EFA and CFA were: Bone (whole body, lumbar and femur bone mineral density and trabecular bone score; good fit), Body composition-lean (lean mass, body mass, vastus lateralis and femoral cross-sectional area; good fit), Body composition-fat (total fat mass, gynoid, android and visceral fat; acceptable fit), Strength (bench and leg press, handgrip and knee extension peak torque; good fit), Dietary intake (kilocalories, carbohydrate, protein and fat; acceptable fit), and metabolic status (cortisol, IGF1, GH and free testosterone; poor fit). SEM using isolated factors showed that body composition (lean) (β=0.66, p<0.001), body composition (fat) (β=0.36, p<0.001) and strength (β=0.74, p<0.001) positively associated with bone. Dietary intake relative to body mass negatively associated with bone (β=-0.28, p=0.001), whereas in absolute terms it showed no association (β=0.01, p=0.911). In a multivariable model, only strength (β=0.38, p=0.023) and body composition (lean) (β=0.34, p=0.045) associated with bone. Resistance training programs that focus on improving lean mass and strength in older individuals may benefit bone in this population.

Citation

ESTEVES, G.P., SWINTON, P., SALE, C., GUALANO, B., ROSCHEL, H. and DOLAN, E. 2023. Use of factor analysis to model relationships between bone mass and physical, dietary, and metabolic factors in frail and pre-frail older adults. Journal of applied physiology [online], 135(1), pages 146-153. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00129.2023

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 22, 2023
Online Publication Date May 25, 2023
Publication Date Jul 1, 2023
Deposit Date May 26, 2023
Publicly Available Date May 26, 2024
Journal Journal of applied physiology
Print ISSN 8750-7587
Electronic ISSN 1522-1601
Publisher American Physiological Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 135
Issue 1
Pages 146-153
DOI https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00129.2023
Keywords Exploratory factors analysis; Confirmatory factors analysis; Structural equation modelling; Lifestyle; Bone-health
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1972997