Osteoporosis
Anna Roberts, Danny Neuman, Ashley Szymkowiak
Background
● Condition that causes loss in bone mass, making them weak and brittle
● Symptoms include:
○ Increased occurrence of fractures
○ Joint pain
○ Decreased function capacity
● Causes include:
○ Low calcium in diet
○ Genetic component
○ Gender
○ Age
● Osteopenia is a precondition for osteoporosis
● High prevalence in women
Management and Medications
● The medications for osteoporosis try to restore the reabsorption and
formation. This is done by slowing the resorption with the use of antiresorptive
or managing the
● Goal: lower the risk of fractures
● 2 different classes of medications include: Antiresorptives (bisphosphonates,
Calcitonin, Estrogen hormone therapy) & Anabolics (parathyroid
hormone-related protein analog, sclerostin inhibitor, and parathyroid hormone
analog)
○ Antiresorptives: slow resorption/ breakdown part of the remodeling process
○ Anabolics: stimulate the formation part of the remodeling process
Exercise Response
● Increase bone density
● Reduce rate of bone degeneration
● Improve balance to reduce risk for falls
Exercise Testing
● Avoid tests that are high impact
● Cycle ergometer
● Use RPE scale during testing
● Do not perform maximum strength testing
Exercise Prescription
● ASCM & CDC recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity of aerobic activity a week
○ 75 minutes of vigorous intensity of aerobic activity a week
○ Resistance training twice a week
Aerobic:
F: Be active on most days of the week but at least three to four days. Work up to five days a week
I: Exercise at a moderate level. Use the “talk test” to help you monitor
T: Exercise 30 to 60 minutes per day. You can do it all at once or break it up into a few sessions of at least 10
minutes each.
T: Do rhythmic, weight-bearing exercises using the large muscle groups. Also, choose activities with a low risk
of falling.
Exercise Prescription
Resistance Training
F: Do resistance training at least two days per week. Plan a day of rest in between.
I: Moderate to vigorous (8 to 12 repetitions).
T: Two sets of repetitions for all major muscle groups.
T: Try to increase the strength of your lower body first
Considerations
● Aerobic:
○ start with shorter durations and build up if client has been inactive
○ Avoid twisting exercises, high impact, and contact activities
○ Choose non weight bearing activities like swimming, water aerobics, biking
● Resistance training:
○ Avoid using valsalva maneuver
○ If client has joint issues, only do one set. Start with 10-15 reps and build to 15-20 reps before
adding another set
Questions
● True or False: Osteoporosis is more prevalent in men.
● What is the goal of osteoporosis medications?
● What are some considerations?
Works Cited
https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/medicationadher
ence/
https://exerciseismedicine.org/assets/page_documents/EIM%20Rx%20series_Exer
cising%20with%20Osteoporosis_2.pdf
https://downloads.lww.com/wolterskluwer_vitalstream_com/sample-content/9780
781769068_ACSMResMsn/samples/Chapter_39.pdf
