The effects of exercise training on postmenopausal osteoporosis

Aim: The study was planned to evaluate the effects of strengthening, balance and coordination exercises on muscle strength, static and dynamic balance functions and the quality of life in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Material and method: Thirty women with postmenopausal osteoporosis aged between 47 and 69 were included in the study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups. Patients in group 1 were assigned strengthening, balance and coordination exercises whereas those in the second group were only assigned strengthening exercises. The exercise program was scheduled as three times a week for eight weeks. The patients were evaluated before the exercise program and at the end of the eighth week. For balance evaluation, SportKAT was used. Each patient had one dynamic and two static tests. The patients back extensor muscle strength, and knee flexor and extensor muscle strengths were measured with Cybex Norm Izokinetic Dynamometer. In order to assess their quality of life, Quality Of Life Quetionnarie Of The Europen Foundation For Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO) scale which includes 41-questions and five subscales was used. Results: When the evaluations of the strengths of the back extensor muscles of group 1 (strengthening, balance and coordination exercises) and group 2 (strengthening exercises) were compared before and after the 8-week treatment program, statistically significant increases were observed (p<0.05). Except for the measurement of the muscle strength for knee extension in 180º/ sec angular velocities in the first group, statistically significant increases were obtained in all muscle strength measurements in both groups (p<0.05). While there were statistically significant improvements in the static balance and dynamic balance parameters in the first group, who had strengthening, balance and coordination exercises (p<0.05), there was not a statistically significant improvement in the dynamic balance parameters in the second group, who had only strengthening exercises (p>0.05).There were statistically significant improvements in physical function, mental function, QUALEFFO total scores when the quality of life scores of both groups were evaluated (p<0.05). However, pain, social function and general health scores were statistically insignificant in the second group (p>0.05). In our study, there were statistically significant decreases in the visual analog scale, VAS resting, walking and stair climbing scores in the first group (p<0.05). In the second group, the decrease in the resting pain scores was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: In our study, when the patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis in group 1 (strengthening, balance and coordination exercise group) and group 2 (only strengthening exercise group) were compared, statistically significant improvements were obtained in dynamic balance functions, QUALEFFO the quality of life scores (pain, physical function, social function, general health, mental function and total scores) and pain scores in group 1 (p<0.05). As a result, it can be suggested that when postmenopausal osteoporosis patients having balance and coordination exercises in addition to strengthening exercises are compared with those only having strengthening exercises, the former group had higher scores in balance functions (dynamic balance), the quality of life and pain scores which were all statistically significant. It was also concluded that muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, and the quality of life could be improved with the help of appropriate exercise programs.