Effects of two-month walking exercise on bone mass density in young, thin women

Abstract

SummaryStudy aim: To examine the effects of a walking programme on the bone mass density (BMD) in sedentary, thin women aimed at preventing bone losses. Material and methods: Twenty thin (BMI<20) women aged 22.0 ± 1.5 years volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned into the exercise (n = 10) or control (n = 10) groups, those from the experimental group being submitted to a training programme lasting two months. The programme consisted of 3 walking sessions per week, 30 min each, at 50 -75% of maximal heart rate. Anthropometric measurements, bone mass density (by DXA) at the hip and lumbar spine (L 2 -L 4 ) and oestradiol concentration in serum (by radioimmunoassay kits) in the follicular phase were made before and after the training programme. The same diet was maintained throughout the study and was monitored by 7-day recalls. Results: The walking programme induced significant increases in BMD (by 5.2% in the hip site, p<0.001, and by 7.3% in the spine, p<0.05). Significant decreases were found in calcium concentration in both groups (by about 5%) and in phosphorus concentration in the experimental group (by about 16%). In the experimental group also the relative body fat content significantly decreased (by 7.7%). Conclusion: Walking exercise practiced for two months reduced the risk of bone loss by significantly increasing bone density.

Effect of Core and Treadmill Trainings on Skeletal Mineralization in Post-Menopausal Osteoporotic Women

“…The physical stress stimulates osteoblastic deposition of bone, which causes a negative potential at the compressed site and a positive potential elsewhere in the bone, so BMD increases [16]. The findings of this study come in agreement with the results of a study done by Chow et al [17] who stated an improvement in BMD with treadmill exercise at 80% of HR max . Also, Nelson et al [18] showed useful effects of walking at 75-80% of HR max for 50 minutes, 3-4 times a week on BMD in postmenopausal women.…”

Assessment of the Level of Somatic Indexes, Aerobic Capacity, and Physical Activity of Young Women

“…Physical effort has a positive effect on the locomotor system: it increases muscle mass and strength, strengthens and stabilizes joints, increases their range of motion, strengthens the muscle attachments, tendons, and ligaments, and prevents joint degeneration [14]. It causes proper bone mineralization [15,16], prevents posture defects, and helps…”