Strength training preserves the bone mineral density of postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to evaluate the effects of strength training (ST) on the bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized into untrained (UN) or trained (TR) groups. The TR group exercised three ST sessions per week for 24 weeks, and body composition, muscular strength, and BMD of the lumbar spine and femur neck were evaluated.


RESULTS
Body weight, mass index, and fat percentage were lower after 24 weeks only in the TR group (p < .05). SR also improved the one repetition maximum test in 46% and 39% of upper and lower limbs, respectively. The percentage of demineralization was higher in the UN group than in the TR group at the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated that 24 weeks of ST improved body composition parameters, increased muscular strength, and preserved BMD in postmenopausal women.
Bocalini
Danilo Sales
DS
Federal University of São Paulo and Heart Institute, Medical School of São Paulo University, Rue General Chagas Santos 392, CEP: 04146-050. São Paulo, Brazil. bocalini@fcr.epm.br
Serra
Andrey Jorge
AJ
dos Santos
Leonardo
L
Murad
Neif
N
Levy
Rozeli Ferreira
RF
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003720:Densitometry; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009142:Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training