Tolomio S, Lalli A, Travain G, Zaccaria M
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combined weight- and non weight-bearing (water) exercise program on bone mass and quality in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. 125 post-menopausal women with osteopenia/osteoporosis underwent a bone mass and bone tissue quality evaluation. 58 of the participants took part in an 11-month specific exercise program (E). The other represented a control group (C) that did not exercise. At the end of the exercise program all the participants were re-evaluated. Concerning bone mass, within and between groups data analysis showed that t-score, measured at neck of femur, significantly increased in E. No differences were instead detected for all the other parameters. With respect to osteosonography, group C showed a significant decrease of all bone quality parameters whereas E showed no differences after the exercise program.
The results showed that a specific exercise program targeting osteoporosis is useful to reduce the physiological bone loss and to maintain a good bone quality in a group of postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.
Clin Ter. 2009 Mar-Apr;160(2):105-9