The beneficial effects of exercise on BMD are lost after cessation: a 5-year follow-up in older post-menopausal women.
This study investigates whether the positive effects on bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm(2)) and neuromuscular function following a combined weight-bearing program are sustained in older women, a longer period after cessation of training. Thirty-four women (18 exercisers and 16 controls) aged 73-88 years, who completed a 12-month randomized-controlled trial, were invited to a 5-year follow-up assessment of BMD and neuromuscular function. Both groups sustained significant losses in BMD of the femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle during the follow-up period. Significant losses were also seen in all neuromuscular function tests. The inter-group change was, however, significant only for maximal walking speed where the exercise group had a significantly greater loss. In conclusion, this study suggests that gains in bone density and neuromuscular functions achieved by training are lost after cessation of training. Continuous high-intensity weight-loading physical activity is probably necessary to preserve bone density and neuromuscular function in older women.
Englund
U
U
Geriatric Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. undis.englund@germed.umu.se
Littbrand
H
H
Sondell
A
A
Bucht
G
G
Pettersson
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017698:Postmenopause; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013548:Sweden