Pattern of physical activity can influence its efficacy on muscle and bone health in middle-aged men and women

Purpose This study aimed at investigating whether association between physical activity, and bone density and muscle strength depends on daily activity pattern.Methods Loading dose of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured using accelerometer on 54 men (Mage = 54.1 years) and 59 women (Mage = 52.1 years). Pattern of MVPA was quantiied as number and length of MVPA bouts, and the length of break bouts between MVPA bouts. Knee extension torque (KET) and broadband ultrasound attenu-ation (BUA) of the calcaneus were also measured. Regression analysis was employed to examine the moderation efect of MVPA pattern.Results Loading dose had a larger efect on BUA (b = .002, p = .035) and KET (b = .004, p = .01) with the increase of median length of MVPA bout, but had a smaller efect on KET with the increase of maximal length of break bout (b = − .015, p = .024).Conclusions This study suggests that pattern of physical activity can inluence its eicacy on muscle and bone health.