The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 1-year trunk resistive exercise program on bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women. Forty-nine subjects were divided into exercise and control groups. Dual photon absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system was used to assess trunk muscle strength. Resistive exercise target levels for the exercise group were based on the results of the trunk muscle strength tests. The exercise group performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each of the sit-up, prone trunk extension, and double leg flexion exercises. The subjects were seen once per month and performed the exercises a minimum of three times per week. The bone mineral density and strength tests were done at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. The results of the study showed that (1) the dual photon absorptiometry method and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system were highly reliable in measuring bone mineral density and trunk muscle strength, respectively; and (2) no significant differences were found between the exercise and control groups at lumbar vertebrae L2, L3, L4, L2 to L4, and the femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanteric region of the proximal femur at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month evaluation sessions.
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