HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free All Versions of this Article: 99/1/181    most recent 01260.2004v1 Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stengel, S. V. Articles by Engelke, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stengel, S. V. Articles by Engelke, K.

Power training is more effective than strength training for maintaining bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

¹Institute of Medical Physics and ²Institute of Sports Science, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Submitted 8 November 2004 ; accepted in final form 24 February 2005

Physical exercise has a favorable impact on bones, but optimum training strategies are still under discussion. In this study, we compared the effect of slow and fast resistance exercises on various osteodensitometric parameters. Fifty-three postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a strength training (ST) or a power training group (PT). Both groups carried out a progressive resistance training, a gymnastics session, and a home training over a period of 12 mo. During the resistance training, the ST group used slow and the PT group fast movements; otherwise there were no training differences. All subjects were supplemented with Ca and vitamin D. At baseline and after 12 mo, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine, proximal femur, and distal forearm by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also measured anthropometric data and maximum static strength. Frequency and grade of pain were assessed by questionnaire. After 12 mo, significant between-group differences were observed for BMD at the lumbar spine (P < 0.05) and the total hip (P < 0.05). Whereas the PT group maintained BMD at the spine (+0.7 ± 2.1%, not significant) and the total hip (0.0 ± 1.7%, not significant), the ST group lost significantly at both sites (spine: –0.9 ± 1.9%; P < 0.05; total hip: –1.2 ± 1.5%; P < 0.01). No significant between-group differences were observed for anthropometric data, maximum strength, BMD of the forearm, or frequency and grade of pain. These findings suggest that power training is more effective than strength training in reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

exercise; resistance training; osteoporosis

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. L. Manske, C. R. Lorincz, and R. F. Zernicke Bone Health: Part 2, Physical Activity Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, July 1, 2009; 1(4): 341 - 346. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Bocalini, A. J. Serra, L. dos Santos, N. Murad, and R. F. Levy Strength Training Preserves the Bone Mineral Density of Postmenopausal Women Without Hormone Replacement Therapy J Aging Health, June 1, 2009; 21(3): 519 - 527. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. von Stengel, W. Kemmler, W. A Kalender, K. Engelke, and D. Lauber Differential effects of strength versus power training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a 2-year longitudinal study Br. J. Sports Med., October 1, 2007; 41(10): 649 - 655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]