title: Too Fit To Fracture: outcomes of a Delphi consensus process on physical activity and exercise recommendations for adults with osteoporosis with or without vertebral fractures.
abstract: An international consensus process resulted in exercise and physical activity recommendations for individuals with osteoporosis. Emphasis was placed on strength, balance, and postural alignment. Rather than providing generic restrictions, activity should be encouraged while considering impairments, fracture risk, activity history, and preference, and guidance on spine sparing techniques should be provided.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The objectives of this study were to establish expert consensus on key questions posed by patients or health care providers regarding recommended assessment domains to inform exercise prescription, therapeutic goals of exercise, and physical activity and exercise recommendations for individuals with osteoporosis or osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Too Fit To Fracture expert panel identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in exercise and osteoporosis and stakeholder groups. We delivered a modified online Delphi survey (two rounds) to establish consensus on assessment, exercise, and physical activities for three cases with varying risk (osteoporosis based on bone mineral density; 1 spine fracture and osteoporosis; multiple spine fractures, osteoporosis, hyperkyphosis, and pain). Duplicate content analyses of free text responses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rates were 52% (39/75) and 69% (48/70) for each round. Key consensus points are the following: (a) Current physical activity guidelines are appropriate for individuals with osteoporosis without spine fracture, but not for those with spine fracture; (b) after spine fracture, physical activity of moderate intensity is preferred to vigorous; (c) daily balance training and endurance training for spinal extensor muscles are recommended for all; (d) providing guidance on spine-sparing techniques (e.g., hip hinge) during activities of daily living or leisure, considering impairments, fracture risk, activity history, and preference, is recommended rather than providing generic restrictions (e.g., lifting <10 lbs, no twisting), but for those with vertebral fracture, especially in the presence of pain, multiple fractures, or hyperkyphosis, the risks of many activities may outweigh the benefits-physical therapist consultation is recommended. Examples of spine-sparing techniques and exercise prescription elements are provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our recommendations guide health care providers on assessment, exercise prescription, and safe movement for individuals with osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada, lmgiangr@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Giangregorio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wark
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laprade
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ashe
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: MacIntyre
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shipp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*