title: Effects of exercise on bone density and falls risk factors in post-menopausal women with osteopenia: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an exercise program for post-menopausal women with osteopenia undertaken in community exercise facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised, single-blind controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine community volunteers with hip osteopenia and not taking bone-enhancing medication were randomly allocated to an exercise (EX) or control (CON) group. EX participants attended an exercise facility in Melbourne, Australia, three times/week for 52 weeks (with a 2 week break) for partially supervised exercises targeting hip bone strength, muscle strength and balance. They also performed daily jumping exercises at home. CON participants continued with their usual care. All participants were given calcium supplementation. Assessment at baseline and 52 weeks measured bone mineral density (BMD) at the proximal femur and lumbar spine. Health-related quality of life (QOL) and objective measures of strength and balance were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANCOVA adjusting for baseline values revealed a small benefit of exercise in mean total hip BMD (the primary outcome) with a significant mean difference in change between groups of -0.012 g/cm(2) (95% CI -0.022 to -0.002 g/cm(2)). EX participants improved 0.5% compared with a 0.9% loss for CON participants. The only other between-group differences were in QOL and a test of trunk and upper limb endurance, which both favoured the EX group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This exercise program appears to have modest benefits for post-menopausal women with osteopenia who are not taking bone-enhancing medication. This mode of exercise delivery has adherence and progression limitations but may be appropriate to recommend for some people.
authors: The University of Melbourne, Department of Physiotherapy, Australia.
authors: Karen L
authors: KL
authors: Bolton
authors: Thorlene
authors: T
authors: Egerton
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wark
authors: Elin
authors: E
authors: Wee
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Matthews
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Kelly
authors: Robyn
authors: R
authors: Craven
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Kantor
authors: Kim L
authors: KL
authors: Bennell
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary