The effect of a multicomponent dual-modality exercise program targeting osteoporosis on bone health status and physical function capacity of postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Exercise is important for the prevention of osteoporosis and the reduction of fracture risk because it improves muscle mass and strength, besides improving balance. We evaluated the effect of a specific exercise program on bone mass and quality and physical function capacity in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.


METHODS
Participants (N = 125) underwent a bone mass (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry), bone quality (osteosonography), and physical functional capacity assessment. Fifty-eight of them took part in an 11-month exercise program (E), that included a multicomponent (strength, aerobic capacity, balance, joint mobility) dual-modality (on ground and in the water; alternating group and home-based exercise periods) exercise regimen. The others represented a control group (C) that did not exercise. After the exercise program all participants were reevaluated.


RESULTS
After the training program: femoral neck T-score significantly improved in E; C significantly decreased all bone quality (osteosonography) parameters, whereas E showed no differences; E significantly improved all the physical function capacity parameters, while most of them decreased or did not change in C.


CONCLUSIONS
A specific exercise program targeting osteoporosis improves physical function capacity, reduces physiological bone loss, and maintains bone quality in low bone mineral density postmenopausal women.
Tolomio
Silvia
S
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Sports Medicine Unit, Padova, Italy. silvia.tolomio@unipd.it
Ermolao
Andrea
A
Lalli
Alberto
A
Zaccaria
Marco
M
D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D015397:Program Evaluation