Effects of a 3-month weight-bearing and resistance exercise training on circulating osteogenic cells and bone formation markers in postmenopausal women with low bone mass

• Published in: Osteoporosis international 2019-04, Vol.30 (4), p.797-806
• Main Authors: Pasqualini, L., Ministrini, S., Lombardini, R., Bagaglia, F., Paltriccia, R., Pippi, R., Collebrusco, L., Reginato, E., Sbroma Tomaro, E., Marini, E., D’Abbondanza, M., Scarponi, A.M., De Feo, P., Pirro, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropometry - methods; Biomarkers - blood; Body Composition - physiology; Body height; Body Height - physiology; Bone Density - physiology; Bone growth; Bone mass; Bone remodeling; Bone Remodeling - physiology; Bone resorption; Collagen (type I); Endocrinology; Exercise; Female; Femur; Femur Neck - physiopathology; Hormone replacement therapy; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - physiopathology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Osteoblasts - physiology; Osteogenesis; Osteogenesis - physiology; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - pathology; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - physiopathology; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - rehabilitation; Pain; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Post-menopause; Quality of Life; Resistance Training - methods; Rheumatology; Spine (lumbar); Strength training; Weight-Bearing - physiology
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-04908-9

Summary Osteoporosis is a health issue in postmenopausal women. Physical activity is recommended in these subjects, since it has positive effects on bone mass. Cellular mechanisms underlying this effect are still unclear. Osteogenic cells, released after physical exertion, could be a key factor in exercise-induced bone formation. Introduction The aim of our research was to explore if a weight-bearing and resistance exercise program could positively affect circulating osteogenic cells (OCs), markers of bone formation and quality of life (QoL) in osteopenic postmenopausal women. Methods We recruited 33 postmenopausal women with a T-score at lumbar spine or femoral neck between − 1 and − 2.5 SD. Anthropometric and fitness parameters, bone-remodeling markers, OCs, and QoL were evaluated at the time of enrolment, after 1-month run-in period, and after 3 months of weight-bearing and resistance exercise. Results After 3 months of training, the pro-collagen type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP) and the number of OCs were significantly increased, with no significant increase of the type 1 collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (sCTX). We also observed a significant increase in body height, one-repetition maximum (1RM) on the pull-down lat machine and leg press, and mean VO 2 max. The increase of immature circulating OCs was significantly correlated with the improvement of 1RM both of the upper and lower limbs. Moreover, QoL was significantly improved with regard to pain, physical function, mental function, and general QoL. The improvement in QoL, namely in the overall score and in the pain score, was significantly correlated with the increase in height. Conclusions The exercise program we trialed is able to increase the markers of bone formation and the commitment of immature OCs with no significant increase in the markers of bone resorption. Our results confirm that combined weight-bearing and resistance physical activity is an effective tool to improve QoL of postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Trial registration NCT03195517