Water Exercise has a Positive Effect on Bone Density

A study design to investigate the effect of water exercises on bone density of Post-Menopausal Women

By Rotstein A, Harush M, Vaisman N. from the Department of Life Sciences, Zinman College, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel

 

AIM

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a seven months program of water exercise, on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

 

METHODS

Thirty-five post-menopausal women trained for seven months for three one-hour sessions per week.

DEXA test findings for vertebrae L2-L4 showed that although the time factor had a significant effect only on the bone mineral content (BMC), (4.61 P < 0.05), the interaction of time group was found to be significant for each of the variables: BMD (9.25 P < 0.01), BMC (7.99 P < 0.01), z-score (5.35 P < 0.05) and t-score (9.41 P < 0.01).

 

RESULTS

These interactions indicate a general trend towards maintenance or improvement of bone status in the experimental group and a trend towards declining bone status for the control group.

DEXA test findings for femoral neck density indicated no significant differences between the groups pre and post treatment.

However a significant interaction was found for BMC (8.08 P < 0.01) in the right leg indicating an increase trend in BMC in the experimental group and a trend towards decrease for the control group.

 

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that it is possible to plan and execute a water exercise program that has a positive effect on bone status of post-menopausal women.

 

 

References: PMID: 18974722