This study sought to determine whether a single exercise program affects fracture risk (bone mineral density [BMD] and falls), coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, and health care costs in community-dwelling elderly women. 246 women were randomly assigned to an 18-month exercise program (exercise group) or a wellness program (control group). The exercise group performed a multipurpose exercise program with special emphasis on exercise intensity; the controls focused on well-being with a low-intensity, low-frequency program. The main outcome measures were BMD, the number of falls, the Framingham-based 10-year CHD risk, and direct health care costs. For the 227 women who completed the 18-month study, significant exercise effects were observed for BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and fall rate per person during 18 months. The 10-year CHD risk was significantly affected in both subgroups, with no significant difference between the groups. The direct health care costs per participant during the 18-month intervention showed nonsignificant differences between the groups.
Compared with a general wellness program, our 18-month exercise program significantly improved BMD and fall risk, but not predicted CHD risk, in elderly women.