Osteoporosis and exercise: a review.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a widespread bone disorder which primarily effects postmenopausal women, with annual costs of six billion dollars. Several studies have looked at the potential value of exercise as an inexpensive and widely available treatment. METHODS: Using Medline, English-language articles published after 1989 in major medical journals and containing the key words 'exercise' and 'osteoporosis' were obtained. Selected prospective studies which included twenty or more subjects were reviewed with special attention to the exercise portion of the protocol. Studies felt to be historically important were also reviewed. RESULTS: Quality of studies, design types and exercise intervention varied greatly. Detailed exercise protocols, high compliance rates and low drop-out rates appeared to favorably effect results. CONCLUSION: As a whole, the literature suggests that exercise induced improvement in bone mineral density in select individuals. Based on the review the author suggests an ideal program.