Effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on bone mineral density and muscle strength of 40-50-year-old women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of six months of heavy resistance training (weightlifting) on the bone density of premenopausal women.


METHODS
A 6-month prospective design with random assignment to groups.


METHODS
Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) were obtained from the Radiology Clinic at North Carolina Memorial Hospital. Exercise sessions were completed in the Physical Education Department facilities at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.


METHODS
Thirty-five premenopausal women, 40-50 years of age, were randomly assigned to either a resistance training (RT) and sedentary control (CON) group. The study finished with 12 women exercising and 14 in the control group.


METHODS
The resistance training consisted of three days per week of high-intensity weightlifting specifically designed to place strain on the spine and hips.


METHODS
Bone density of the lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck, and distal radius, were determined prior to and at the end of the exercise program using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).


RESULTS
Resistance-training produced strength gains: overhead press = 125%, leg press = 86%, and calf raises = 91% (p < 0.001). RT tended to increased lumbar BMD 1.03%, while the CON decreased 0.36% (p = 0.072). Both groups lost radial BMD (CON = -0.45%; RT = -1.04%). Both groups gained femoral neck BMD (CON = 1.26%; RT = 1.22%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that even a short-term weight training program can either maintain or improve the BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae in premenopausal women.
Dornemann
T M
TM
Department of Physical Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-8700, USA.
McMurray
R G
RG
Renner
J B
JB
Anderson
J J
JJ
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause; D011884:Radius / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*