A High-Intensity Exercise Intervention Improves Older Women Lumbar Spine and Distal Tibia Bone Microstructure and Function: A 20-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of ageing on bone can be mitigated with different types of physical training, such as power training. However, stimuli that combine increasing external and internal loads concomitantly may improve bone quality. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a combined power and plyometric training on lumbar spine and distal tibia microstructure and function. Methods: 38 sedentary elderly women between 60 and 70 years were randomly allocated in experimental (N = 21) and control group (N = 17). The effects of the 20-week protocol on lumbar spine microstructure and tibia microstructure and function were assessed by trabecular bone score (TBS), high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and microfinite element analysis. Results: when compared to the effects found in the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in lumbar spine TBS (Hedges' g = 0.77); and in distal tibia trabecular thickness (g = 0.82) and trabecular bone mineral density (g=0.63). Conclusion: our findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed intervention, suggesting it as a new strategy to slow down and even reverse the structural and functional losses in the skeletal system due to ageing. INDEX TERMS Finite element analysis, HR-pQCT, plyometric training, power training, trabecular bone score.

Effect of high‐intensity training on bone health and body composition in lung transplant recipients: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

“…However, one study investigating the effect of a 20-week power/plyometric training protocol among elderly women found similar significant changes in lumbar spine TBS and tibia trabecular thickness, while cortical bone remains unchanged. 27 Despite the significant effects on TBS of the lumbar spine, HIT did not improve BMD compared to standard care. It has previously been shown that 6 months of isolated strength training on the lumbar spine may reverse vertebral osteoporosis in LTx recipients.…”

Effects of Moderate- to High-Impact Exercise Training on Bone Structure Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…(37,38,(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)68) The five studies in adults only recruited women. (49)(50)(51)69,70) Eight studies were in postmenopausal women (52)(53)(54)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75) and two were in older men. (55,76) Results were combined for older men and women in one study, (77) for peri-and postmenopausal women in another, (78) and for pre-and postmenopausal women in another.…”

“…Missing data were obtained by contacting the authors via email a minimum of two times over a 4-week period. The authors of 16 studies were contacted, (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55) and five were able to supply the requested information. (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)54) If data were still unavailable but absolute mean changes were provided, we converted these values into percentage mean change by dividing the absolute mean change by baseline mean values and multiplying by 100.…”

“…The authors of 16 studies were contacted, (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55) and five were able to supply the requested information. (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)54) If data were still unavailable but absolute mean changes were provided, we converted these values into percentage mean change by dividing the absolute mean change by baseline mean values and multiplying by 100. Algebraic recalculation of missing SDs from between-group p values were performed according to the Cochrane reviewer's handbook.…”

The Role of High-intensity and High-impact Exercises in Improving Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review

“…There was also an emphasis on the lack of existing information in the high-intensity category and the requirement for more trials to determine the importance of this intervention [ 26 ]. A trial with high-intensity impact exercises with progressive external loading, and strength training with increased internal loading for 20 weeks showed significant improvement in the LS-trabecular bone score, pointing towards improved bone microstructure that is more resistant to fractures [ 23 ]. The high impact and muscle compression force produced from high-intensity/impact exercises may slow down the process of bone aging and contribute to better functional capacity in postmenopausal women [ 23 ].…”