Reduced physical activity or immobilisation have several negative effects on the skeleton. Significant reductions in bone mass have been observed after prolonged bed rest, in patients with injury to the spinal cord and hemiplegia, and after transitory immobilisation of the extremities, for instance after fractures. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate the effect of exercise on bone mass in elderly people and to determine whether exercise programmes could be appropriate in the prevention of fractures in this segment of the population. We identified four randomised and two non-randomised, prospective studies for the analysis of the effect of exercise on bone mass. Four studies reported a statistically significant difference in the intervention group, as compared to the control group, whereas two studies failed to find any significant differences in bone mass. We conclude that exercise has a beneficial and measurable effect on bone mass in the elderly, which may lead to a decline in the rate of fractures.

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