OBJECTIVE: Use the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of ground and/or joint reaction force exercise on femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) in men. METHODS: Randomized controlled exercise trials >= 24 weeks were included. Standardized effect sizes (g) were calculated and pooled using random-effects models, z-score alpha values and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was examined using Q and I2. Statistical significance was set at a two-tailed alpha value (p) of <= 0.05 and a trend at > 0.05 to <= 0.10. RESULTS: A moderate and statistically significant improvement was found at the FN (3 g's, 187 participants, g = 0.583, 95% CI 0.031 to 1.135, p = 0.04, Q = 5.6, p = 0.06, I2 = 64%) while a small trend was observed at the LS (5 g's, 275 participants, g = 0.190, 95% CI -0.036 to 0.416, p = 0.10, Q = 3.0, p = 0.55, I2 = 0%). Results were sensitive to influence analysis as well as collapsing multiple groups from the same studies so that only one g represented each study. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend ground and/or joint reaction force exercise for improving and/or maintaining FN and LS BMD in men. Additional well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed before any final recommendations can be formulated.
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

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