Abstract
0427 Physical activity has been proposed to promote bone deposition and retention. Resistance training and step aerobics are two popular fitness activities that may enable such benefits. PURPOSE: To examine possible improvements in heel bone mineral density (BMD), one-repetition max (1-RM) of the leg press (LP), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in young female subjects after six months of either step aerobics or lower-body resistance training. METHODS: Twenty-five untrained females between the ages of 20–35 (26.0 ± 4.8) years completed the six-month study. All subjects completed a VO2max test, leg press 1-RM, and a bone scan of the left heel at baseline and after six months of group assignment. The subjects were randomized into a resistance training (RT) (n = 8), step aerobics (SA) (n = 7), or control (CON) (n = 10) group. The RT group did an eight-exercise lower-body circuit-style resistance training program with increasing weight, the SA group performed a 45-minute step aerobics routine that included jumping off the step, and the CON group maintained normal activities. Training was performed three d/wk. All groups were given a 500 mg calcium supplement to take twice per day. RESULTS: At baseline, no group significantly differed in any test result. ANOVA revealed a significant interaction (p < 0.05) for 1-RM, with RT showing a significantly greater increase in strength (34.6%) than SA (6.3%) and CON (3.0%). No time or group interactions were present for VO2max or heel BMD (pre: 0.50 ± .01 g/cm2 post: 0.51 ± .01 g/cm2). CONCLUSIONS: Six months of lower body RT resulted in significant gains in LP strength; however, this was not associated with a measurable effect on heel BMD or VO2max in young untrained women. Supported by NIH grant # 5 S06 GM053933-06 & NASA # SAA 2–401535.
Published Version
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