The effects of exercise and physical activity participation on bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women: a systematic review of pQCT studies

Abstract

The cumulative risk of fracture for a postmenopausal woman over the age of 50 can reach up to 60%. Exercise has the potential to modify fracture risk in postmenopausal women through its effects on bone mass and geometry; however, these effects are not well characterized. To determine the effects of exercise on bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women, we conducted a systematic review of the literature. We included all randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, and prospective studies that used peripheral quantitative computed tomography to assess the effects of exercise on bone mass and geometry in this population. Exercise effects appear to be modest, site-specific, and preferentially influence cortical rather than trabecular components of bone. Exercise type also plays a role, with the most prominent mass and geometric changes being observed in response to high-impact loading exercise. Exercise appears to positively influence bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women. However, further research is needed to determine the types and amounts of exercise that are necessary to optimize improvements in bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women and determine whether or not these improvements are capable of preventing fractures.

High impact exercise increased femoral neck bone mineral density in older men: A randomised unilateral intervention

“…Exercise can affect the distribution of bone as well as the quantity of bone [39]. To document changes in hip geometry following high impact exercise, CSA, section modulus and minimum neck width were assessed.…”

Impaired Ability to Perform the Sit-to-Stand Task in Osteoporotic Women

“…In addition, some studies shown that regular training to strengthen the muscles of the lower limbs, especially the quadriceps, are effective for increasing muscle power, static and dynamic balance, thus improving performance activities of daily living, which includes the act of sitting down and up (Khazzani et al, 2009;Teixeira et al, 2010). Also, high-impact loading exercise has shown to be efficient to increase bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women (Hamilton et al, 2010;Iwamoto et al, 2010). Another study that conducted a 11-month exercise program, which included strength, aerobic capacity, balance, joint mobility on ground and in the water on postmenopausal women shown an improvement of physical function capacity, associated to a reduction of physiological bone loss (Tolomio et al, 2010).…”

“…Following these statements, the increased bone loss is accompanied by an increase of both muscle mass and muscle strength losses. However, based on the muscle-bone unit, the decrease of bone is consequence of both decrease of muscle mass and strength (Hamilton et al, 2010). Therefore, in women with osteoporosis is expected an impairment during the functional activities performance, as sit-to-stand task, since they require the action of muscular system.…”

The Effect of Prior Exercise on Bone Morphological Microstructure after Immobilization in Mice

“…As a result, exercise, antiresorptive drugs, and other techniques, such as electrical muscle stimulation, have been proposed as therapies to improve or prevent bone deterioration [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Rubin et al studied the effects of periods of unloading, interrupted either by regular weight bearing or vibration therapy, on the bone quality of rats.…”