Effect of Eight-Month Exercise Intervention on Bone Outcomes of Young Opioid-Dependent Women

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone response to an 8-month aerobic gymnastics training program in young opioid addicted women. Method: One hundred and two young women with previous opioid addiction were divided into two groups: (a) low bone quality intervention experimental group (n=55); (b) low bone quality observed control group (observation group) (n=47). Intervention group took aerobic gymnastics regularly for 120 min·d-1, 5d·wk-1 for 8 months and completed follow-up testing. Substance use history and other life habit affecting bone quality were assessed by questionnaire-based interviews. Bone quality (stiffness-index, T-score, Z-score) was examined with quantitative ultrasound. Anthropometric characteristics (body weight, fat free mass, fat mass) were obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: After 8-month intervention, the stiffness-index of bone quality increased significantly (before: 82±6, after: 108±14, p<0.05) in the experimental groups. However, the bone quality did not change significantly in the controls (observation group: before: 79±10, after: 77±13, p>0.05). Fat mass decreased in experimental group (Experimental group: before: 19.6±3.7kg, after: 18.8±4.0kg, p<0.05). Meanwhile, change of fat-free mass was the determination of change of bone quality in the experimental group. Conclusions: Our results suggested that aerobic gymnastics intervention can be an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of drug-induced osteoporosis in detoxification addicts.