Osteoporosis and Resultant Factors Due

Osteoporosis and resultant factors due to related fragility and falls are important public health concerns that necessitate effective prevention and interventions (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). There are many effective pharmacological interventions used in the treatment of osteoporosis, but lifestyle changes demonstrate effective means for improvement and prevention. One of the most effective and researched non-pharmacological interventions for osteoporosis is exercise. Research has determined that weight-bearing impact exercises may enhance the strength, mass, and structure of bones (Nikander, et al., 2010). It has been demonstrated through numerous studies that regular exercise is associated with a decrease in fragility fractures in women and men (Nikander, et al., 2010). How effective is exercise, strength training in particular, for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis?

Past research has effectively demonstrated that exercise programs of various sorts may increase spine and hip bone mineral density and decrease the likelihood of falls among individuals with osteoporosis (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Strength training has been demonstrated to promote osteogenesis and maintain and even increase bone mineral density (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Common actions in strength training such as compression, torsion, and tension act to create electrical signals that stimulate cellular activity within bones and the deposit of minerals on points of stress that are caused by muscle contraction (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Muscle contraction used in strength training stimulates bone formation, which increases bone mineral density and inhibits bone reabsorption (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Studies have shown that strength training programs and a more active lifestyle in general promote the maintenance of bone mineral density in post-menopausal women, and improve bone mineral density in the spine and hips for women with osteoporosis (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010).

Fractures are a common result of post-menopausal osteoporosis, and interventions that may reduce the likelihood of fractures have been investigated. Research has shown that resistive exercise in strength training increases strength in the extensor lumbar muscles and reduces the incidence of vertebral fractures (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). This demonstrates that resistive strength training prevents the loss of bone mass, maintains bone mass, improves balance and reduces the likelihood of falls (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Strength training exercise that is high impact and intense can reduce back pain and improve bone mineral density in the hips and spine for women in their early post-menopausal years that are at high risk of developing osteoporosis (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010).