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Table 3 Description of included studies investigating the association between different doses of physical activity on osteoporosis prevention

From: Evidence on physical activity and osteoporosis prevention for people aged 65+ years: a systematic review to inform the WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Reference PEDro score

Study design

Allocated/

Analysed

Participants (n, age mean (SD), % women, setting, health status)

Intervention

Primary exercise type according to ProFANEa

Relevant comparison

Outcomes

Follow up (mo)

Results

bAshe 2013 [77]

RCT

155/147

Setting: Community; Canada

Health status: Healthy

A. Balance and tone (BT)

Not relevant for this comparison

B. Once a week resistance training (RT1)

n= 54 (randomised); 47 (analysed)

Age: 69.4 (3.0)

C. Twice a week resistance training (RT2)

n= 52 (randomised); 46 (analysed)

Age: 69.2 (3.0)

Female: 100%

B. RT1: Low-frequency, group-based supervised resistance training for upper and lower body with the use of resistance equipment.

Frequency: 1 time/week

Intensity: 2 sets of 8 RM

Session duration: NR

Primary exercise type: Resistance

C. RT2: High-frequency, group-based supervised resistance training for upper and lower body with the use of resistance equipment.

Frequency: 2 times/week

Intensity: 2 sets of 8 RM

Primary exercise type: Resistance

Duration of the interventions (wks): 52

Delivered by: Certified fitness instructors

B vs C

1. Tibial volumetric cortical density (CovBMD)

2. Total area (ToA) midtibia

3. Tibial bone strength

12

Final score (mean ± SD)

1. Tibial CovBMD

B. -1.81 ± -0.17

C. -4.67 ± -0.45

2. Total area (ToA) midtibia

B. 0.86 ± 0.21

C. 0.93 ± 0.22

3. Tibial bone strength

B. 124.83 ± 0.64

C. 9.94 ± 0.05

cBemben

2011

4/10 [91]

RCT

160/124

Setting: Community; United States

Health Status: Healthy

Age: Men 65.2 (0.5); Female 63.8 (0.4)

Female: 64%

A. 2 days/week high intensity (2HI) group

n=39 (randomised); 31 (analysed)

B. 2 days/week low intensity (2LI) group

n=41 (randomised); 34 (analysed)

C. 3 days/week high intensity (3HI) group

n=34 (randomised); 24 (analysed)

D. 3 days/week low intensity (3LI)

n= 46 (randomised); 35 (analysed)

Training included five upper body and seven lower body exercise

A. 2HI:

Frequency: 2 times/week

Intensity: 80% of 1RM, 3 sets of 8 reps

Session duration: 60 min

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 40

Primary exercise type: Resistance

B. 2LI:

Frequency: 2 times/week

Intensity: 40% of 1RM, 3 sets of 16 reps

Session duration: 60 min

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 40

Primary exercise type: Resistance

C. 3HI:

Frequency: 3 times/week

Intensity: 80% of 1RM, 3 sets of 8 reps

Session duration: 60 min

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 40

Primary exercise type: Resistance

D. 3LI:

Frequency: 3 times/week

Intensity: 40% of 1RM, 3 sets of 16 reps

Session duration: 60 min

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 40

Primary exercise type: Resistance

A vs B

A vs C

C vs D

B vs D

1. Lumbar spine (L2-4) BMD

2. Femoral neck BMD

3. Trochanter BMD

4. Total hip BMD

5. Total body BMD

10

Final score (mean ± SD)

1. Lumbar spine BMD

A. 2HI: 1.155 ± 0.034

B. 2LI: 1.195 ± 0.034

C. 3HI: 1.190 ± 0.034

D. 3LI: 1.190 ± 0.031

2. Femoral neck BMD

A. 2HI: 0.902 ± 0.020

B. 2LI: 0.904 ± 0.019

C. 3HI: 0.889 ± 0.021

D. 3LI: 0.932 ± 0.027

3. Trochanter BMD

A. 2HI: 0.792 ± 0.025

B. 2LI: 0.781 ± 0.019

C. 3HI: 0.800 ± 0.025

D. 3LI: 0.811 ± 0.031

4. Total hip BMD

A. 2HI: 0.949 ± 0.022

B. 2LI: 0.943 ± 0.019

C. 3HI: 0.956 ± 0.025

D. 3LI: 0.984 ± 0.031

5. Total body BMD

A. 2HI: 1.172 ± 0.014

B. 2LI: 1.175 ± 0.015

C. 3HI: 1.199 ± 0.020

D. 3LI: 1.177 ± 0.017¥

Kemmler 2010

6/10 [54]

RCT

246/227

Setting: Community; Germany

Health status: Healthy

A. Multi-component exercise training

n= 123 (randomised); 115 (analysed)

Age: 68.9 (3.9)

B. Low intensity multicomponent programme

n= 123 (randomised); 112 (analysed)

Age: 69.2 (4.1)

Female: 100%

A. Two 60-minute supervised group sessions: warm-up/ aerobic dance (20 min), balance training (5 min); functional gymnastics, isometric strength training with 1-3 sets of isometric floor exercises for trunk flexors and extensors hip flexors and extensors and leg abductors and adductors; upper body exercises.

Two home training session that includes strength and flexibility training.

Frequency: 4 sessions/week

Intensity: Aerobic dance: 70%-85% of maximum heart rate; Upper body exercise: 10-15 reps x 2-3sets;

Home training session: 1-2 sets of 6-8 isometric exercise and 10-15 reps x 2 sets of belt exercises

Session duration: 60 min/group class & 20 min/home training session

Delivered by: Certified trainer

Duration of the intervention (wks): 72

Primary exercise type: Multiple (balance and function plus resistance)

B. Low intensity multicomponent programme including walking, muscular relaxation, endurance and strength training

Frequency: 1 session/week

Intensity: Walking at 50-60 % maximum heart rate

Endurance and strength training: low to moderate intensity

Session duration: 60 min

Delivered by: Certified trainer

Duration of the intervention (wks): 72

[every 10 weeks of training was followed by 10 weeks of rest]

Primary exercise type: Multiple (balance and function plus endurance)

A vs B

1. Lumbar spine BMD

2. Femoral neck BMD

18

Mean difference (95% CI)

1. Lumbar spine BMD: 0.014 (0.006 to 0.021)

2. Femoral neck BMD: 0.015 (0.008 to 0.021)Â¥

bPruitt 1995

4/10 [64]

RCT

40/26

Setting: Community; America

Healthy status: Healthy

A. High intensity resistance training

n= 15 (randomised); 8 (analysed)

Age: 67.0 (0.5)

B. Low intensity resistance training

n= 13 (randomised); 7 (analysed)

Age: 67.6 (1.4)

C. Control: not relevant for this comparison

Female: 100%

A and B. Supervised exercise session comprising bench press, lateral pull down, military press, biceps curl, knee extension, knee flexion, hip abduction and adduction, leg press, back extension.

A. Intensity: High

14 reps x 1 set at 40% 1RM for warm up; 7 reps x 2 sets at 80% 1RM

B. Intensity: Low

14 reps x 3 sets at 40% 1RM

For both A and B:

Frequency: 3 times/week

Session duration: 50 -55min/lifting time

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 52

A vs B

1. Total hip BMD

2. Femoral neck BMD

3. Ward’s triangle BMD

4. Lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD

12

Change score (mean ± SD)

1. Total hip BMD

A. High intensity: 0.005 ± 0.014

B. Low intensity: 0.008 ± 0.012

2. Femoral neck BMD

A. High intensity: -0.002 ± 0.154

B. Low intensity: 0.025 ± 0.008

3. Ward’s triangle BMD

A. High intensity: 0.018 ± 0.032

B. Low intensity: 0.022 ± 0.045

4. Lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD

A. High intensity: 0.007 ± 0.018

B. Low intensity: 0.005 ± 0.027

dTaaffe 1996

4/10 [101]

RCT

36/21

Setting: Community; United States

Health status: Healthy

A. High intensity resistance training group

n= 12 (randomised); 7 (analysed)

Age: 67.0 (0.2)

B. Low intensity resistance training group

n= 13 (randomised); 7 (analysed)

Age: 67.6 (0.5)

C. Control

n= 11 (randomised); 7 (analysed)

Age: 69.6 (1.3)

Female: 100%

Supervised exercise training targeted thigh muscle strength including leg press, knee extension and knee flexion. Exercise sessions were bracketed by warm up and cool-down periods

A. Intensity: 1 set of 14 reps at an intensity of 40% 1RM and 2 sets of 7 reps at an intensity of 80% of 1RM

B. Intensity: 3 sets of 14 reps at an intensity of 40% of 1RM

For both groups

Frequency: 3 times/week

Session duration: NR

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 52

Primary exercise type: Resistance

A vs B

A vs C

B vs C

1. Middle third of the femur BMD

2. Thigh BMD

12

% Change score (mean ± SEM)

1. Middle third of the femur BMDÂ¥

A. High intensity: 1.0± 1.0

B. Low inteisty: -2.2 ± 0.5

C. Control: -1.8 ± 0.6

2. NR

bTaaffe 1999

5/10 [72]

RCT

53/46

Setting: Community; United States

Health status: Healthy

A. High-intensity resistance training (1 day per week)

n= 14 (randomised); 11 (analysed)

Age: 68.5 (3.6)

Female: 36%

B. High-intensity resistance training (2 days per week)

n= 14 (randomised); 12 (analysed)

Age: 69.4 (3.0)

Female: 29%

C. High-intensity resistance training (3 days per week)

n= 11 (randomised & analysed)

Age: 71.0 (4.1)

Female: 36%

D. Control: not relevant for this comparison

Training includes the whole body (bench press, military press, latissimus pull-down, biceps curl, and leg press)

All trainings were started with a warm up that included stretching and one set each of bench press and leg press (40% of 1-RM, 10 repetitions) and concluded with a cool-down period of stretching.

Intensity: started at 60% of the 1RM and gradually increase in intensity

A. Frequency: 1 time/week

B. Frequency: 2 times/week

C. Frequency: 3 times/week

Intensity: 8 reps x 3 sets at 80% of 1 RM

Session duration: NR

Delivered by: NR

Duration of the intervention (wks): 24

A vs B

A vs C

B vs C

1. Lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD

2. Total hip BMD

3. Midradius BMD

4. Total body BMC

6

Final score (mean ± SD)

1. Lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD

A. Resistance 1x/week: 1.025 ± 0.006

B. Resistance 2x/week: 1.033 ± 0.006

C. Resistance 3x/week: 1.032 ± 0.007

2. Total hip BMD

A. Resistance 1x/week: 0.865 ± 0.010

B. Resistance 2x/week: 0.866 ± 0.006

C. Resistance 3x/week: 0.864 ± 0.010

3. Midradius BMD

A. Resistance 1x/week: 0.605 ± 0.003

B. Resistance 2x/week: 0.604 ± 0.003

C. Resistance 3x/week: 0.608 ± 0.003

4. Total body BMC

A. Resistance 1x/week: 2552 ± 15

B. Resistance 2x/week: 2530 ± 14

C. Resistance 3x/week: 2525 ± 14

  1. BMC: bone mineral content (g); BMD: bone mineral density (g/cm2); BMI: body mass index (kg/m2); NR: not reported; RCT: randomised controlled trial. When data was available for more than one time-point, we extracted the post-intervention data. Mean estimates were extracted in the following hierarchical order: mean difference, change score and final score
  2. aExercise is a physical activity that is planned, structured and repetitive and aims to improve or maintain physical fitness. There is a wide range of possible types of exercise, and exercise programmes often include one or more types of exercise. We categorised exercise based on a modification of the Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE) taxonomy that classifies exercise type as: i) gait, balance, and functional training; ii) strength/ resistance (including power); iii) flexibility; iv) three- dimensional (3D) exercise (e.g., Tai Chi, Qigong, dance); v) general physical activity; vi) endurance; and vii) other kind of exercises. The taxonomy allows for more than one type of exercise to be delivered within a programme. We also considered whether the exercise explicitly included bone loading eg hopping or heel drops
  3. bIndicate studies also included in the exercise vs control comparison (Table 1) or in the one or more forms of physical activity comparison (Table 2), but only the results for different doses of exercise are presented here
  4. cindicates studies that were found in the expanded search for individual studies conducted in March 2020 in PubMed
  5. dindicates studies that were found in the updated search for systematic reviews conducted in July 2020 in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus
  6. ¥indicates statistically significant between-group difference at p < 0.05
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International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

ISSN: 1479-5868

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