The role of physical exercise in prevention and management of osteoporosis.

The effect of exercises on vertebral trabecular bone mineral content (BMC) was investigated in 24 women with osteoporosis (OP) diagnosed by Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT). Two groups were formed: an exercise and a control group with no exercise. Subjects in the exercise group exercised for one hour, twice weekly for a period of 6 months under the supervision of a physical therapist. A home exercise program which included the same exercises used in the hospital plus walking for half an hour every day was also assigned. Initial lumbar X-ray films, values obtained from laboratory investigations, physical activity scores and spinal BMC measurements were compared with those obtained after 6 months. The increase in the level of physical activity in the exercise group after exercise therapy was found statistically significant (p less than 0.001). After the exercise period, BMC values showed a 4.76% increase whereas in the control group, a decrease of 2.7% was found. The results demonstrated the beneficial effect of exercise in the prevention and management of OP.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes