The effect of group exercise on postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteopenia

This study investigated the effects of group exercise on bone mineral density (BMD), pain, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia. The study included 16 osteoporotic and 17 osteopenic postmenopausal women. Subjects having orthopedic, neurological, respiratory, vascular, metabolic, or mental problems were excluded. Each group received the same group exercise program for one hour three times a week for 21 weeks, supervised by a physiotherapist, and including breathing, warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, stabilization, and cooling exercises. All participants were evaluated before and after the exercise program by a visual analog scale for pain severity, by DEXA for BMD, and by QUALEFFO-41  for quality of life.

This pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of physiotherapist-supervised group exercise programs in decreasing pain and increasing BMD and quality of life of both osteoporotic and osteopenic women.

Angın E, Erden Z. The effect of group exercise on postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteopenia. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2009;43(4):343-350