Physical exercise and osteoporosis: effects of different types of exercises on bone and physical function of postmenopausal women

Abstract

Physical exercise is an important stimulus for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. However, it is not clear yet which modality would be better to stimulate bone metabolism and enhance physical function of postmenopausal women. This review paper aims to summarize and update present knowledge on the effects of different kinds of aquatic and ground physical exercises on bone metabolism and physical function of postmenopausal women. Moderate to intense exercises, performed in a high speed during short intervals of time, in water or on the ground, can be part of a program to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Mechanical vibration has proven to be beneficial for bone microarchitecture, improving bone density and bone strength, as well as increasing physical function. Although impact exercises are recognized as beneficial for the stimulation of bone tissue, other variables such as muscle strength, type of muscle contraction, duration and intensity of exercises are also determinants to induce changes in bone metabolism of postmenopausal women. Not only osteoanabolic exercises should be recommended; activities aimed to develop muscle strength and body balance and improve the proprioception should be encouraged to prevent falls and fractures. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(5):514-22

Effect of three months of periodized hydrogymnastics exercise program on urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline in older women

“…In this context, in exercise training periodization increasing the load heart rate reserve has been produce grater adaptations (23). The present study involves a periodized hydrogymnastics training program with different frequency, work load intensity and time than other references (9,22). Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of three months of periodized hydrogymnastics exercise program on urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline in older women.…”

“…To diminish this feature, this research considered the hydrogimnastic than carried out through realizing rhythmic-gymnastic activities in an aquatic environment (20), this modality of exercise is especially recommended among people who have limitations with do exercise on dry land due to impact (21) and which in the last ten years, has taken popularity and preference among elderly by taking advantage of water properties in order to provide fluidity and a wider range in movements while diminishing the risk of injuries (20). It was found than water exercise in older women provides positives effects on bone and physical function of postmenopausal women (9,22). In this context, in exercise training periodization increasing the load heart rate reserve has been produce grater adaptations (23).…”

“…Evidence from systematic review and meta-analysis clearly show than physical exercise induce an improvement bone mass content in older women (7)(8)(9). Controlled trials in post-menopausal women have been considered physical exercise along with medication and diet one of the three cornerstones of osteoporosis (10,11).…”

“…Controlled trials in post-menopausal women have been considered physical exercise along with medication and diet one of the three cornerstones of osteoporosis (10,11). By other hand, there are different accepted diagnostic criteria to identify osteoporosis than may partly explain the variability of prevalence (12); also the incidence of physical exercise to induce changes in bone metabolism is determined for the duration, intensity and type of exercises (9).…”

The Benefits of Physical Activity on Climacteric Women

“…In more intense exercises such as strength training or water exercises, it is very easy to observe how the contraction needed to win a load stimulates muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. On the other hand, lighter activities such as whole body vibration training (WBVT) sessions also stimulate muscle contraction [33]. The most important mechanism activated is that the vibration has the capacity of stimulating sensorial receptors that lead to a relect activation of the motor units, similar to what happens on the tonic relex [34].…”