The aim of this study was to compare the relation between differently measured sports activities (metabolic equivalent [MET] and peak strain score) and distal radius bone mineral density in college-aged women.

Lifetime sports activity was scored in two different ways: 1) a sports activity score by multiplying the intensity (METs) and duration and 2) a sports activity score by adding up physical strain scores based on the ground reaction force of each sports activities. Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy x-ray densitometry (DTX-200) in the distal radius site.

In stepwise multiple regression analysis, body weight and sports activities during the college period were significant positive predictors for distal radius bone mineral density. The explained variance of sports activity measured with a peak strain score (8.8%) for distal radius bone mineral density was higher than one measured with the MET score (3.3%).

It can be concluded that sports activity scores based on MET and peak strain scores during college are very important for determining the bone mineral density in the distal radius site in women under 30.