Effect of combined exercise on bone homeostasis factors in post-menopausal women

Women experience specific physiological changes and transformations throughout various life stages, including puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause, which significantly impact their health and quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effect of a combined exercise program on bone homeostasis in postmenopausal women.

The methodology of this study was experimental. A statistical participant of 22 postmenopausal women was divided into two groups (EG: Experimental Group; CG: Control Group). The EG engaged in three sessions of aerobic and resistance training, each lasting 90 minutes, over the course of eight weeks. During this period, the CG did not participate in any exercise programmer. Measurements taken included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fat percentage, speed, agility, cardiorespiratory fitness, serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, estradiol, and urinary calcium and phosphorus levels. Data analysis was conducted using paired t-tests for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon test for non-normally distributed data, with α < 0.05 in SPSS version 22.

The results indicated a significant difference in fat percentage, WHR, cardiorespiratory endurance, speed, agility, serum calcium, urinary phosphorus, and estradiol levels (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in the remaining variables.

In conclusion, the findings suggest that combined training effectively reduced fat percentage and WHR, decreased BMI and serum calcium levels, and increased urinary phosphorus and estradiol levels. Additionally, it improved speed, agility, and cardiorespiratory endurance in the experimental group, while having no significant effect on alkaline phosphatase, urinary calcium, or serum phosphorus levels.