Effects of Zumba^® and Aquagym on Bone Mass in Inactive Middle-Aged Women

Background and objectives: Regular exercise may stimulate bone formation and reduce the loss of bone mass in premenopausal women. This study aims to evaluate the effect of high-impact physical activity (Zumba^®) and low-impact physical activity (Aquagym) on bone mass in inactive middle-aged women. Materials and methods: Fifty-five healthy inactive women (30⁻50 years old) were recruited in Spain in 2016 and were randomly allocated into one of three groups: High impact group (HIG: n = 15), low impact group (LIG: n = 12) and control group (CG: n = 28). HIG and LIG were recruited from Madrid and the CG from Toledo. HIG and LIG completed a 12-week intervention program with three 40' sessions per week of Zumba^® or Aquagym; respectively. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at total body less head (TBLH), lumbar spine and right hip. Results: Post-intervention adjusted data showed no significant differences in BMC between any of the groups nor in aBMD between HIG and LIG. Interestingly; significant differences for the HIG vs. CG were found in the change in total hip aBMD (1.76% vs. -0.44%), femoral neck aBMD (1.80% vs. -2.71%), and intertrochanter aBMD (2.03% vs. -0.50%). Moreover, significant differences for the LIG vs. CG were also found in the change in femoral neck aBMD (-0.54% vs. -2.71%). Conclusions: The regular practice of Zumba^® and Aquagym might reduce the progressive deterioration of bone mass in inactive middle-aged women.