User:D.colbertaldo/sandbox

Exercise as it relates to Disease

What is the background to this research?
Bone mineral density plays a significant role in the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures that may be acquired by today’s population. It is estimated that the lifetime risk for fractures is 40% in women of the age of 50, and approximately 1.2 million of these fractures attribute to osteoporosis on a yearly basis. This is a serious concern for various medical and health reasons as osteoporosis related injuries account for an estimated $6.1 billion annually in both direct and indirect costs, and with an ageing population the likelihood of bone mineral density fractures and osteoporosis are expected to increase. Due to the future significance and vitality that bone mineral density may play in a woman’s post menopausal stage of life, it has been suggested that resistance training be encouraged. This particular type of exercise has been proven to increases ones bone mineral density reducing the chance of fractures and osteoporosis, and therefore enhancing their quality of life.

Where is the research from?
The research was conducted by The University of Arizona Tucson on an initial random sample of 106 women, with 59 selected to form part of the exercise group and another 47 participating in the control group.

What kind of research was this?
The study design was an 18 month randomized prospective trial of the effects of resistance training on bone mineral density.

What did the research involve?
A random sample of 106 women were selected via the recruitment process which involved various questionnaires based around their medical history, occupational and leisure physical activity histories, and diet history.

The study investigated the effect of a resistance training program on premenopausal women and the benefits it may have on their respective bone mineral densities. The intervention group underwent the program for 18 months with assessments occurring at the 5,12 and 18 month marks. The program consisted of 12 different types of exercises each performed in 3 sets, with 8-12 repetitions at an intensity of 70% of their respective 1 RM's.

What were the basic results?
Lohman et al found that at the site of the lumbar spine in the exercise group there were significant changes in bone mineral density at the 5, 12 and 18 month marks when compared to the relative baseline measures. Significant increases were also recognisable at the femur trochanter site at the 12 and 18 month mark.

The exercise group displayed increases at the Lumbar spine region of 2.8%, 2.4% and 1.9% in there relative 5, 12 and 18 month assessments, while the control group displayed a decrease in all of their respective assessments. The femur trochanter site also displayed increases of 0.7%, 1.8% and 2% at the relevant assessment periods while the control group again didn't display any increases in bone mineral density.

How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers prove that they have distinguished a positive correlation between the use of resistance training and the benefits it has on bone mineral density for pre-menopausal women. Via the implementation of a long term resistance training program, it has clinically been proven that there can be significant long term health benefits for this particular cohort of our society in relation to fractures and falls.

What conclusions should be taken away from this research?
Resistance training programs are beneficial and have positive effects on bone mineral density in pre-menopausal women, paying particular attention to the increases in bone mineral density found at the lumbar spine and femur trochanteric site. These in turn may also play a significant role in the specific prevention of hip fractures and falls in post menopausal women.

What are the implications of this research?
The results of the study indicate that resistance training programs are beneficial to bone mineral density in premenopausal women particularly at the lumbar spine and femur trochanter sites. Despite this, there were no other significant changes at various sites across the body and therefore poses an implication to the sustainability and validity that may arise surrounding the sole effectiveness of resistance training in premenopausal women and total bone mineral density.