Maximal Strength Training In Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis Or Osteopenia

Current guidelines recommend weight-bearing activities, preferably strength training for improving skeletal health in patients with osteoporosis. What type of strength training that is most beneficial for these patients is not established. Squat exercise MST might serve as an effective intervention for patients with low bone mass. We hypothesized that 12 weeks of squat exercise MST would improve parameters in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia and that these changes would coincide with improved bone mineral density (BMD).

The participants were randomized to a training group or control group (no training). The TG underwent 12 weeks of supervised squat exercise MST, 3 times a week, with emphasis on rapid initiation of the concentric part of the movement. The CG was encouraged to follow current exercise guidelines. This study demonstrates that squat exercise MST, applying only one exercise, improves parameters in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia.