Cochrane Reviews

Exercise benefit small for osteoporosis

Exercise does help postmenopausal women in the fight against osteoporosis but the benefit is small, a review of 43 studies shows. 

The Cochrane Collaboration, which reviews best evidence, found that exercise will improve bone mineral density slightly and will also slightly reduce the chances of having a fracture. 

Those who exercised had on average 1-3% less bone loss than those who did not exercise, and 7% of women who exercised had a fracture compared with 11% who did not exercise. 

Exercise is thought to increase bone mass and the most effective types appeared to be non-weight bearing high force exercise such as progressive resistance strength training and combination exercise programs. 

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD000333/exercise-for-preventing-and-treating-osteoporosis-in-postmenopausal-women 

 

Content updated 2 August 2011

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