The Association Between Walking Speed and Bone Turnover Markers in Older Adults

Background Previous research conducted among institutionalized older adults has reported increased bone turnover markers (BTMs) in those subjects with mobility limitation. However, the association between walking speed and bone metabolism has not been well described in community-dwelling older adults. Methods The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 cycles were used to determine the association between the 20-feet walking speed test and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and the cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I bone collagen (NTx). Sex-specific general linear models adjusted for potential confounders were assembled to examine the independent association between the time to complete the walking speed test grouped into quartiles and the logarithmic transformations of BAP and NTx levels. Results Of 2,521 older adults, 25.8% were defined as having mobility limitation. In both genders, BTM levels progressively increased as the time to complete the walking test also increase. Indeed, women and men who completed the walking speed test in the worst time quartile had on average 6% and 2.8% higher NTx levels than their counterparts who completed the test in the best time quartile, respectively. Likewise, BAP levels also progressively increased across walking speed time quartiles, but to a lesser degree. Notably, NTx levels were 4.7% and 2.6% higher in women and men with mobility limitation than those without, respectively. In contrast, BAP levels did not significantly differ in older adults regardless of their mobility limitation status. Conclusions Community-dwelling older adults with slower walking speeds and mobility limitation consistently had evidence of increased bone resorption. Thus, the present findings indicate that older adults with mobility limitation should be considered at risk of osteoporosis.