Differential effects of strength versus power training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a 2-year longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of two different schemes of loading in resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and pain in pretrained postmenopausal women.


METHODS
53 pretrained women (mean (SD) age 58.2 (3.7) years) who carried out a mixed resistance and gymnastics programme were randomly assigned to a strength training (ST) or power training (PT) group. The difference between the two groups was the movement velocity during the resistance training (ST, 4 s (concentric)/4 s (eccentric); PT, explosive/4 s). Otherwise both groups carried out periodised progressive resistance training (10-12 exercises, 2-4 sets, 4-12 repetitions at 70-92.5% of the one-repetition maximum (2/week) for 2 years. Mechanical loading was determined with a force measuring plate during the leg press exercise. At baseline and after 2 years, BMD was measured at different sites with dual x-ray absorptiometry. Pain was assessed by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Loading magnitude, loading/unloading rate, loading amplitude and loading frequency differed significantly (p<0.001) between the two groups. After 2 years, significant between-group differences were detected for BMD (PT, -0.3%; ST, -2.4%; p<0.05) and bone area (PT, 0.4%; ST, -0.9%; p<0.05) at the lumbar spine. At the hip, there was a non-significant trend in favour of the PT group. Also the incidence of pain indicators at the lumbar spine was more favourable in the PT group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that PT may be superior for maintaining BMD in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, PT was safe as it did not lead to increased injury or pain.
von Stengel
Simon
S
Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen, Henkestr 91, 91052 Erlangen, Germany. simon.von.stengel@imp.uni-erlangen.de
Kemmler
Wolfgang
W
Kalender
Willi A
WA
Engelke
Klaus
K
Lauber
Dirk
D
D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D