Vigorous exercise reduces bone loss

Women who exercise after menopause may ward off bone loss, back pain and high cholesterol. Recent research has found that a supervised exercise program that includes running, aerobics, jumping and strength training helps prevent bone loss among postmenopausal women over a two-year period.Exercise can cut the risk of both cardiovascular disease and the brittle-bone disease osteoporosis, but different types and intensities of activity may be necessary. While moderate exercise like walking can be enough to improve fitness and general health, it may take higher-impact activity that puts some stress on the bones to make a difference in bone density.Researchers from the University of Erlangen, Germany, pointed out that the current study focused on women who had recently gone through menopause, a time when bone loss accelerates and heart disease risk rises due to declining oestrogen levels. The study included 50 women between the ages of 48 and 60 who took part in the exercise program, and 33 women the same age who were told to follow their usual lifestyle habits. All the women were showing some bone-density decline in the spine or hip, and all were given calcium and vitamin D to help slow their bone loss. Women in the exercise group went through a supervised program that grew in intensity over time and eventually got them running, performing jumping exercises and strength training with weights, machines and other equipment. They exercised four times a week.

After two years, the researchers found that the women in the exercise group showed improved endurance and strength, while their bone density remained largely stable, and even increased in the spine. In contrast, women in the comparison group remained at the same level of fitness and showed further bone loss. In addition, women in the exercise group saw a dip in blood fats, including total cholesterol and triglycerides, while these levels tended to go up in the comparison group. Back-pain complaints also declined in the exercise group.It is advised that postmenopausal women who want to increase their activity levels should first consult their doctors and then take part in supervised programs or classes.

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