Physical activity effects on bone mineral density of healthy women in pre-menopause

Abstract

Study Design: Sistematic review of literature.

Aims: Physical activity is an important stimulus to increase bone mineral density (BMD). Whereby the resistance of the bone is associated with BMD, microstructure and material properties, improvements in bone mass are important to prevent osteoporosis in old ages. Despite many studies on the subject, there is no consensus on what is the best type of exercise, intensity and frequency for improvements in osteogenesis and promotion of BMD gain. This study aimed to investigate the types of physical activities that results in better osteogenic effects on increasing BMD in healthy premenopausal women.

Methodology: We searched scientific articles in Pubmed and Science Direct databases published in the last ten years. We selected controlled studies which used high-impact activities or resistance training. We used systematic analysis of the selected articles.

Results: Fifteen articles were included in this review, which were separated into two groups according to the type of exercise. We performed a comparative analysis of the methods used and the results achieved. There were more efficient protocols using high impact exercise even if it was a short-term program resulting in increased BMD in the proximal femur (femoral neck and intertrochanteric region).

Conclusion: There were fewer studies observing increases in BMD at the lumbar spine when resistance exercise with load or high impact loads were used. Most experimental protocols performed in relatively short-term programs (6 months) demonstrated that exercise programs that were simple, easy to perform, and not using special devices are sufficient to promote bone remodeling at specific sites resulting in increased BMD.

in increased BMD.