[Exercise and physical therapy in osteoporosis].

Initial studies demonstrated that an adequate amount of continuous exercise such as weight-bearing and aerobic training slow down bone loss, maintain bone mineral density, or even increase bone density in the young adulthood though the magnitude of mechanical loading of the bone. However, it remains unclear whether physical activity is also beneficial for bone health in postmenopausal and elderly women with osteoporosis whose exercise endurance capacity is commonly decreased. Recent longitudinal studies showed that 1-2 years of moderate to intensive exercise can increase postmenopausal bone mass, although the amounts of bone gain are relatively modest and site-specific. Thus, weightbearing exercise should be recommended not only to inhibit loss of bone mass but also to increase muscle strength in the elderly, which definitely lead to prevention of falls and decrease the incidence of new fractures.