Ranking of osteogenic potential of physical exercises in postmenopausal women based on femoral neck strains.

Pim Pellikaan,Ilse Jonkers,Sabine Verschueren,Jos Vander Sloten,Georgios Giarmatzis,Jose Manuel Garcia Aznar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195463

Abstract

The current study aimed to assess the potential of different exercises triggering an osteogenic response at the femoral neck in a group of postmenopausal women. The osteogenic potential was determined by ranking the peak hip contact forces (HCFs) and consequent peak tensile and compressive strains at the superior and inferior part of the femoral neck during activities such as (fast) walking, running and resistance training exercises. Results indicate that fast walking (5–6 km/h) running and hopping induced significantly higher strains at the femoral neck than walking at 4 km/h which is considered a baseline exercise for bone preservation. Exercises with a high fracture risk such as hopping, need to be considered carefully especially in a frail elderly population and may therefore not be suitable as a training exercise. Since superior femoral neck frailness is related to elevated hip fracture risk, exercises such as fast walking (above 5 km/h) and running can be highly recommended to stimulate this particular area. Our results suggest that a training program including fast walking (above 5 km/h) and running exercises may increase or preserve the bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck.

Highlights

Osteoporosis constitutes a major public health threat, affecting 27.6 million men and women in EU27 in 2010 [1], manifested by bone fractures with an estimated treatment cost up to 37 billion euros
The present study provides a comparative analysis of strain data occurring at the superior and inferior part of the femoral neck during potentially osteogenic exercises performed by healthy post-menopausal women
A comparison between the strain magnitudes and the peak hip contact forces (HCFs) for different exercises revealed that factors such as muscle recruitment strategy have an influence on the strain distribution especially at the superior part of the femoral neck

Summary

Introduction

Osteoporosis constitutes a major public health threat, affecting 27.6 million men and women in EU27 in 2010 [1], manifested by bone fractures with an estimated treatment cost up to 37 billion euros. Femoral neck fractures make up approximately 40% - 50% of all hip fractures and occur about three times more often in woman, underlining the sensitivity of this specific region. Exercise interventions such as (brisk) walking are known to increase bone density and strength at the femoral neck, the osteogenic potential of this specific region during exercise has yet to be determined.

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Discussion

Conclusion