[Effects of a combined weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing ( warm water) exercise program on bone mass and quality in postmenopausal women with low bone-mineral density]. / Effetti di un programma combinato di esercizio con e senza sovraccarico (acqua termale) sulla massa e qualità ossea in un gruppo di donne in età post-menopausale con deficit minerale osseo.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of a combined weight- and non weight-bearing (water) exercise program on bone mass and quality in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 125 post-menopausal women with osteopenia/osteoporosis underwent a bone mass (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorbimetry, DEXA) and bone tissue quality (phalangeal osteosonography) evaluation. 58 of the participants took part in an 11-month specific exercise program (E). The other represented a control group (C) that did not exercise. At the end of the exercise program all the participants were re-evaluated. RESULTS: Concerning bone mass, within and between groups data analysis showed that t-score, measured at neck of femur, significantly increased in E (p < 0.05). No differences were instead detected for all the other parameters. With respect to osteosonography, group C showed a significant decrease of all bone quality parameters (p < 0.05), whereas E showed no differences after the exercise program. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that a specific exercise program targeting osteoporosis is useful to reduce the physiological bone loss and to maintain a good bone quality in a group of postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.

Short-term adapted physical activity program improves bone quality in osteopenic/osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is known that people affected by osteopenia/osteoporosis can benefit from an adequate amount of physical activity, counteracting the progressive loss of bone and muscle mass caused by aging. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that exercise has positive effects on bone structure. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects on bone tissue and muscular strength of a short-term exercise program in osteopenic/osteoporotic postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-nine osteopenic/osteoporotic postmenopausal women were divided into 2 groups: exercise and control. All subjects underwent 2 evaluations: before and after a training period. Bone quality was assessed by phalangeal quantitative osteosonography, and maximal strength of leg extensor muscles was also evaluated. The experimental group participated in a specific supervised 20-week physical activity program that included aerobic, balance, and strength training. RESULTS: After the training period, all bone parameters and lower-limb maximal strength were significantly improved in the exercise group (P < .05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that a broad-based training protocol, lasting 20 weeks, can improve leg strength and bone quality parameters-main determinants of fall and fracture risk, respectively.