Exercise interventions for osteoporosis prevention in postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease associated with reduced bone mineral density resulting in debilitating bone fractures. According to the National Institutes of Health Women's Health Initiative, effective interventions for bone loss need to be developed. The osteogenic stimulus provided by weight-bearing exercise indicates it is an important lifestyle factor that can be used for prevention of bone loss. Prospective research studies have documented that both aerobic exercise and weight training can be effective in the maintenance and building of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Additional benefits of weight training include increased muscular strength, coordination, and balance which could decrease risk for falling and subsequent fractures.