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Evidence summaries

Physical Activity and Prevention of Osteoporosis in Women

In order to increase (or maintain) bone mineral content and bone strength in women exercise should include rapid and preferably multidirectional movements and controlled impacts or jumps. Level of evidence: "A"

A meta-analysis 1 examined the effect of exercise on bone mass in pre- and postmenopausal women. Thirty-five randomised controlled studies qualified for analysis. The evaluation differentiated between impact-containing exercise (such as aerobics) and one that did not contain impacts (such as resistance training). Exercise with both with and without impact may reduce the loss of minerals from the lumbar vertebrae in pre- and postmenopausal women. Impact-containing exercise appears to prevent the loss of mineral in the femoral bone neck.

References

  • Wallace BA, Cumming RG. Systematic review of randomized trials of the effect of exercise on bone mass in pre- and postmenopausal women. Calcif Tissue Int 2000 Jul;67(1):10-8. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords