The effect of leisure-time physical activities on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: Systematic review and
Anıl Siyahtaş1, Elif Ünlügedik Sayın2, Döndü Kurnaz3
1Independent Researcher, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Abstract:
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. The protocol was developed according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. Searches were conducted from January to February 2025 across PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, National Thesis Center, TR Index, and Turkiye Clinics search engines. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the RoB-2 tool. Data were pooled through meta-analysis, and certainty of evidence was appraised using GRADE. 13 findings of 12 studies with a total sample size of 9836 were included in the meta-analysis. BMD across multiple anatomical sites remained stable in intervention groups, but declined in controls, although differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Subgroup analyses suggested varying effectiveness by activity type, ranking them as follows: Structured physical activity modalities > Tai Chi > Pilates ≈ Handball > Step/Dance. Intervention duration appeared most favorable at 6 months, followed by 3, 12, and 9 months. LTPA does not significantly increase BMD overall in postmenopausal women, yet may help maintain bone mass and exert localized benefits depending on activity type and duration. These findings underscore the potential role of structured exercise in mitigating age-related bone loss, although further high-quality trials are warranted.
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