Bone Abstracts

Exercise can prevent or mitigate musculoskeletal challenges of aging. To prescribe an effective /osteogenic exercise program the individual’s muscle strength, bone mineral density, and cardiovascular status would need to be considered.

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures and resulting mal-posture create musculoskeletal challenges that cannot be met with pharmacotherapy alone. Bone loss, disequilibrium along with pain can increase inactivity, and further bone and muscle loss. Even in healthy persons, predisposition to falls increases with age-related neuromuscular changes. Muscle strength decreases about 50% from age 30 to 80. Furthermore, the amount of body sway increases with reduction of proprioception. Therefore, measures that can decrease disequilibrium can reduce the risk of falls and fracture.

Kyphotic posture can contribute to propensity to fall and fear of falls in osteoporotic individuals; it can also contribute to back pain due to ligamentous overstrain. Yoga is used to improve an individual’s balance, but some yoga positions have contributed to vertebral compression fractures and pain.

Through implementation of SPEED (Spinal Proprioceptive Extension Exercise Dynamic) program, significant improvements were achieved in gait parameters, computerized dynamic posturography score (P=.003), risk of falls at obstacles (P=.02), and fear of falls score (P=<.001). SPEED decreased back pain (P=.001) and increased level of physical activity (P=<.001).