Abstract
Introduction: The effects of ageing on bone can be mitigated with different types of physical training, such as power training. However, stimuli that combine increasing external and internal loads concomitantly may improve bone quality. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a combined power and plyometric training on lumbar spine and distal tibia microstructure and function. Methods: 38 sedentary elderly women between 60 and 70 years were randomly allocated in experimental (N = 21) and control group (N = 17). The effects of the 20-week protocol on lumbar spine microstructure and tibia microstructure and function were assessed by trabecular bone score (TBS), high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and microfinite element analysis. Results: when compared to the effects found in the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in lumbar spine TBS (Hedges’ g = 0.77); and in distal tibia trabecular thickness (g = 0.82) and trabecular bone mineral density (g=0.63). Conclusion: our findings underscore the effectiveness of the proposed intervention, suggesting it as a new strategy to slow down and even reverse the structural and functional losses in the skeletal system due to ageing.
Highlights
The effects of ageing on bone can be mitigated with different types of physical training, such as power training
Thirty-eight elderly women volunteered to participate in this study, and they were randomly allocated to the experimental group N = 21(66.9 ± 4.2 years) and N = 17 in the control group (65.0 ± 3.4 years)
The participants in the experimental group (EG) attended, on average, to 92% of the planned training sessions and none attended less than 80%
Summary
The effects of ageing on bone can be mitigated with different types of physical training, such as power training. Results: when compared to the effects found in the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in lumbar spine TBS (Hedges’ g = 0.77); and in distal tibia trabecular thickness (g = 0.82) and trabecular bone mineral density (g=0.63). Increasing physical inactivity in old age reduces the loads acting on the skeletal system [7]. These internal (joint reaction forces) and external loads (ground reaction forces) applied upon the senescent locomotor system are needed in order to ensure its functional homeostasis [8]. Physical exercise is probably the best non-pharmacological strategy to overcome the deterioration found in old age, providing means to attenuate or even reverse bone loss [7], along with other benefits such as cardio, balance, motor control or even self-confidence. In the search for the best mechanical stimulation, several training strategies have been proposed
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