Effects of exercise training added to ongoing hormone replacement therapy on bone mineral density in frail elderly women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether exercise training added to ongoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases bone mineral density (BMD) in physically frail elderly women.


METHODS
Prospective controlled trial.


METHODS
University-based research center.


METHODS
Twenty-eight women on HRT, aged 75 and older with physical frailty.


METHODS
Participants were assigned to 9 months of supervised (EXER) or home (HOME) exercise. The EXER program started with physical therapy and gradually incorporated resistance and endurance training. The HOME program consisted of flexibility exercises.


METHODS
Changes in BMD and body composition.


RESULTS
There were larger increases in lumbar spine BMD in response to EXER than with HOME (3.5% vs 1.5%, P =.048), with a trend for larger increases in total body BMD (1.5% vs 0.2%, P =.058). There were no significant between-group differences in hip BMD. The EXER group had decreases in weight (-2.2 +/- 0.3 kg, P =.010) and fat mass (-2.7 +/- 0.4 kg, P =.018) and increases in muscle strength (9-30%, P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In physically frail elderly women on HRT, relatively vigorous exercise training significantly increased lumbar spine BMD. The improved BMD and strength in response to exercise could reduce fracture risk in frail women already on HRT.
Villareal
Dennis T
DT
Washington University Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, USA. dvillare@im.wustl.edu
Binder
Ellen F
EF
Yarasheski
Kevin E
KE
Williams
Daniel B
DB
Brown
Marybeth
M
Sinacore
David R
DR
Kohrt
Wendy M
WM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate