Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2010 , Vol 13, Issue 2
THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE TRAINING ON MUSCLE STRENGTH AND BALANCE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS
Özgür BOZAN1, Figen KOÇYİĞİT2, Feyzan CANKURTARAN1, Özlem EL2, Selmin GÜLBAHAR2, Özlen PEKER2
1Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Yüksekokulu İZMİR
2Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı İZMİR
Introduction: In the study, evaluating the effect of strengthening, balance and coordination exercises on muscle strength and static and dynamic balance function in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, was aimed.

Materials and Method: Thirty women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were included in the study. Patients in the first group were assigned to strengthening, balance and coordination exercises while those in the second group were only assigned to strengthening exercises. The patients were evaluated before and after the exercise program. For balance evaluation, Kineshetic Ability Trainer was used. The patients' muscle strengths were measured with Cybex Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer.

Results: Comparison of the strength of back extensor muscles of the groups before and after the treatment showed statistically significant increases in strength (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the muscle strength measurement for knee extension at an angular velocity of 180º/sec in the first group. All other muscle strength measurements showed statistically significant increases in both groups (p<0.05). The static balance and dynamic balance parameters were significantly improved in the first group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: As a result, assigning balance and coordination exercises in addition to strengthening exercises for postmenopausal osteoporosis patients improves dynamic balance functions. Keywords : Exercise;Aged; Female; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/prevention & control