Moderate resistive training maintains bone mineral density and improves functional fitness in postmenopausal women

Twenty five subjects were randomized to untrained (UN) and resistive-trained (RT) groups. The RT group exercised three sessions per week at 60%-70% of the load according to individual 1RM test during 24 weeks. Both groups were evaluated before and after protocol period assessing lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, VO(2) max, and neuromuscular fitness. After 24 weeks, there were significant reductions in LS (0.89 ± 0.16% loss) and FN BMD (1.54 ± 0.35% loss) for UN but no change was found in the TR (LS: 0.01 ± 0.12% and FN: 0.04 ± 0.05% loss). The UN group had no changes in neuromuscular performance. However, RT exhibited a significant improvement on the functional fitness parameters evaluated, with the exception of agility. Our results indicate RT suppresses the decline in BMD and simultaneously improves the functional fitness of postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy, which may reduce fall risk and related bone fractures.