title: Effect of block-periodized exercise training on bone and coronary heart disease risk factors in early post-menopausal women: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: The purpose of this 12 month randomized exercise intervention was to determine the effect of a block-periodized multipurpose exercise program on bone mineral density (BMD) and parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in early post-menopausal women. Eighty-five subjects (52.3 ± 2.4 years) living in the area of Erlangen (Germany) were randomly assigned into an exercise (EG, n=43) or a wellness-control group (CG: n=42). The EG performed a periodized multipurpose exercise program with 4-6-week blocks of high-intensity bone-specific exercise intermitted by 10-12 weeks of exercise dedicated to increase endurance and reduce cardiac and metabolic risk factors. The CG performed a low-volume/low-intensity "wellness" program to increase well-being. After 12 months, significant exercise effects were observed for the lumbar spine (LS) BMD as assessed by quantitative computed tomography [total BMD (EG: -0.3 ± 2.1% vs CG: -2.1 ± 2.2%, P=0.015); trabecular BMD (EG: -0.7 ± 3.4% vs CG: -4.7 ± 4.9%, P=0.001) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (EG: -0.1 ± 2.2% vs CG: -2.0 ± 2.0%, P=0.002)]. However, no significant effects were observed for total hip BMD as assessed by DXA (P=0.152). Although all MetS parameters were favorably affected among the EG, only the effect for waist circumference was significant. In summary, short periods of bone-specific intervention embedded in longer periods of exercises dedicated to improve cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors positively affected BMD at the LS.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. wolfgang.kemmler@imp.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kemmler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bebenek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: von Stengel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engelke
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kalender
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055105:Waist Circumference