Purpose: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle performance is little investigated in the context of eating disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between BMD and lower-limb muscle power in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).
Methods: 44 female patients (aged 12 to 40 years) with AN were included in the study. The 5-repetition sit-to-stand test was conducted to assess physical functionality, and both absolute and relative muscle power were calculated. Body composition, appendicular lean mass (ALM), and BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results: A significant association was observed between lower-limb absolute muscle power and lumbar BMD. This association was still significant after adjustment for ALM.
Conclusions: Our results show a positive relationship between lumbar BMD and lower-limb muscle power in patients with AN, which cannot be solely accounted for by ALM.
KEY WORDS: Bone mineral density, anorexia nervosa, functional test, eating disorder.
