title: Resistance training versus weight-bearing aquatic exercise: a cross-sectional analysis of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have shown that resistance training has a positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD). However, few studies have compared the BMD of individuals undergoing resistance training and those training aquatic weight-bearing exercises.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare, in a cross-sectional study, the BMD of postmenopausal women undergoing resistance training and postmenopausal women training aquatic weight-bearing exercises.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample comprised 63 women divided into the following three groups: resistance training (STRENGTH: n = 15; 51.4 ± 2.7 years); aquatic weight-bearing exercises (WA-TER: n = 22; 54.5 ± 3.3 years); and non-trained controls (
  
  
  METHODS
  n = 26; 52.0 ± 3.3 years). All volunteers were on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year. The STRENGTH and WATER groups were training for at least one year prior to study beginning (mean years of training - STRENGTH: 4.5 ± 2.0; WATER: 4.2 ± 2.2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The STRENGTH group had higher BMD of total body, femoral neck, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). The WATER group had higher BMD of total body, total hip, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). However, no difference was observed between the STRENGTH and WATER groups regarding the sites assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Those findings suggest that not only the resistance training, but also aquatic weight-bearing exercises might be a non-pharmacological strategy to prevent BMD loss in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Medical School, Universidade de Brasília, DF, Brazil. sandorbalsamo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sandor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balsamo
authors.forename: Licia Maria Henrique da
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Frederico Santos de
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Dahan da Cunha
authors.initials: Dda C
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Lídia Mara Aguiar
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.forename: Denise Osti Coscrato
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Balsamo
authors.forename: João Lindolfo Cunha
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Ana Patrícia de
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Paula
authors.forename: Martim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bottaro
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D055070:Resistance Training; D014867:Water; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D014867:Water