The Effects of a Uniformly Weighted Exercise Suit on Biomarkers of Bone Turnover in Response to Aerobic Exercise in Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Density

Abstract

The Effects Of A Uniformly Weighted Exercise Suit On Biomarkers Of Bone TurnoverIn Response To Aerobic Exercise In Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Density Haley Frances Terndrup Current options for maintaining or slowing aging-related bone mineral density (BMD) loss in postmenopausal women primarily include pharmaceutical agents. More recently, physical activity and exercise have been suggested as highly effective, low cost alternatives. Weighted aerobic exercise, utilizing load carriage systems (LCS), is known to increase the gravitational forces impacting bone, creating a higher osteogenic stimulus than standard aerobic exercise. In response to the positive research on aerobic exercise with well-designed LCS, Dr. Lawrence Petrakis, MD, developed a unique 5.44 kg uniformly weighted exercise suit. This study aimed to examine the effects of the uniformly weighted exercise suit on serum biochemical markers of bone formation During each condition, participants walked on a treadmill at 65%-75% of their agepredicted maximum heart rate until they reached their goal caloric expenditure (400kcal). There was a seven-day washout period between sessions. Serum was processed using ELISA protocols to investigate the change in biomarker at 24 and 72 hours post exercise, relative to baseline. The results indicated, when compared to the NS condition, the ES condition elicited a greater positive change in P1CP at 24 hours (P<0.05). During the NS condition, CTX increased, relative to baseline, at 24 hours following exercise (P<0.05), while there was no significant variance in CTX following the ES condition (P>0.05). There was no effect of condition on P1NP at any time point (P>0.05). In sum, submaximal aerobic exercise while wearing the uniformly weighted exercise suit elicited an antiresorptive effect on bone collagen resorption with a simultaneous increase in bone collagen formation 24 hours post exercise.