Effects of a weight-bearing exercise training on bone mineral density and neuromuscular function of osteopenic women

This study was designed to evaluate whether a weight-bearing exercise training played 3 times a week can have benefits on bone mineral density and neuromuscular function in women with a diagnosis of osteopenia. The study enrolled 22 women aged between 45 and 65, with densitometric diagnosis of osteopenia. The participants were randomly assigned to a group of exercise (n=11) and a control group (n=11). The exercise program lasted for 45 min and consisted of a combination of strength exercises that seek to cause a mechanical osteoblastic stimulus by use of gravity, body weight, fall with anti-gravity reaction, in combination with exercises for the improvement of balance and coordination. The outcome measures used to assess the result on bone mass are the bone Mineralometric DEXA method for femoral head-neck region and lumbar spine and biochemical markers of bone turnover (resorption and neoformation) and for the evaluation of neuromuscular function was chosen to use surface electromyography (sEMG) as an indicator of overall activity and speed activation of lumbar paravertebral muscles and of the lower limbs antigravity muscles, stabilometric analysis and 6’ Walk Test. In addition each person enrolled was given EuroQol and ICF core set of osteoporosis, respectively, to assess the quality of life, as well as activity limitations and participation restrictions associated. In the exercise group, mean values and changes in average rates for the balance, muscle strength, walking ability and quality of life, mean bone mineral content and bone turnover markers, corresponding to the assessments made at 0 (before rehabilitation intervention) and Time 1 (program ended), showed a statistically significant improvement. The results of this study demonstrate that a group rehabilitation program of exercises based on gravitational load, aimed to improve muscle strength and trophism, coordination and balance, can provide advantages of unquestionable importance, not only on the slope of increase bone mass of neuromuscular function and reducing risk of falling, but on health in general.