A review of 43 trials in postmenopausal women found exercise, especially resistance training and combined programmes, produced a small but statistically significant increase in bone density versus no exercise.
Direction not statedMeta-analysis · 4,320 participants pooled · 2011PostmenopausalCited 400 timesPubMed
A review of 28 randomised trials in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 found walking combined with resistance training could preserve weight and bone density and increase muscle strength.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2,646 participants pooled · 2004Early postmenopausalCited 219 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 19 trials in postmenopausal women found adding exercise to medicine or supplements improved lumbar spine bone density, leg muscle strength, balance, and quality of life.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,249 participants pooled · 2024PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 16 trials in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found traditional Chinese exercise improved bone mineral density, pain, balance, and quality of life versus conventional care alone.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,288 participants pooled · 2024PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 12 studies in 1,272 postmenopausal women found Tai Chi increased vertebral bone density and health status scores, with no significant effect on falls or balance.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 1,272 participants pooled · 2024PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia found exercise interventions improved muscle mass, strength and physical function such as gait speed.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 744 participants pooled · 2026PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 11 trials in women aged 60 and over with sarcopenic obesity found exercise reduced body fat percentage and improved muscle mass and handgrip strength, with no change in gait speed.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 532 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 10 trials found chair-based exercise improved muscle endurance, flexibility and dynamic balance in postmenopausal women, but not handgrip strength or static balance.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 509 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 24 weeks of whole body vibration or resistance training; vibration increased hip bone density and muscle strength, while resistance training and controls showed no bone density change.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 70 women · 24 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 445 timesPubMed
A review of 7 studies in adults over 50, including postmenopausal women, found combined tai chi and resistance training improved muscle strength, aerobic endurance, balance, and mobility after long term training.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 703 participants pooled · 2020Midlife womenCited 17 timesPubMed
A review of seven RCTs in women aged 40 to 60 found counseling interventions modestly reduced weight gain, while exercise-only trials showed no differences and higher fall rates.
Reported a worseningSystematic review · 51,638 participants pooled · 2022Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of twice weekly high intensity resistance and impact training, which improved spine and hip bone density and functional performance versus a low intensity home program.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 101 women · 32 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 260 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did high-intensity strength training twice weekly for one year and showed increased hip and spine bone density, muscle mass, strength and balance compared with controls who declined.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 39 women · 52 weeks · 1994PostmenopausalCited 546 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 15 RCTs with 1018 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found traditional Chinese exercises such as Ba Duanjin improved lumbar spine bone density and reduced pain versus controls.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,018 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 26 trials found whole-body vibration, balance, balance plus nutrition, and resistance exercise improved balance scores in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2023PerimenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low vitamin D took placebo or cholecalciferol for a year, and researchers found no differences in bone density, muscle mass, muscle function or falls between groups.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 230 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 117 timesPubMed
A review of 5 studies totalling 143 participants, mostly postmenopausal women with fracture risk, found low-certainty evidence that Pilates improved physical function and quality of life.
No difference foundSystematic review · 143 participants pooled · 2022PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with a prior arm fracture did self-paced brisk walking for 2 years, and researchers found a small increase in hip bone density but more falls than controls.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 165 women · 104 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 152 timesPubMed
Untrained postmenopausal women did 8 months of whole-body vibration or walking, with vibration increasing hip bone density and balance more than walking, while spine bone density was unchanged in both.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 32 weeks · 2006PostmenopausalCited 170 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women and frail nursing home residents did high intensity strength training, and researchers found significant gains in strength and functional status.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 100 women · 1997PostmenopausalCited 161 timesPubMed
In 151 postmenopausal women over 18 months, a combined exercise program increased lumbar spine bone density, and adding whole body vibration lowered the number of falls but not bone density further.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 151 women · 78 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 101 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women doing 12 months of jumping exercise, with or without alendronate, showed no change in spine or hip bone density but improved leg power, balance and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 164 women · 52 weeks · 2003Early postmenopausalCited 117 timesPubMed
Elderly women with low bone density who did 30 months of impact exercise training had no change in hip bone density but fewer fall-related fractures than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 160 women · 130 weeks · 2006PostmenopausalCited 103 timesPubMed
A systematic review of nine studies using virtual reality exercise games in climacteric women found improvements in pelvic floor strength, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness and bone density versus conventional approaches.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 298 participants pooled · 2022PerimenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
A review found exercise in peri and postmenopausal women modestly increases or preserves bone density and improves muscle strength and balance, but direct proof it reduces fractures is lacking.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2004Midlife womenCited 25 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 2 years of resistance and walking exercise with or without soy isoflavones, and exercise groups maintained hip bone density and improved balance compared with control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 351 women · 104 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 62 timesPubMed
In 86 postmenopausal osteopenic women, nine months of Tai Chi training did not significantly change hip or spine bone density overall, but improved balance sway measures versus usual care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 86 women · 39 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 81 timesPubMed
Women averaging 69 years did an 18 month multipurpose exercise program and researchers reported increased lean mass and strength and reduced body fat compared to an active control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 246 women · 78 weeks · 2010Midlife womenCited 56 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 60 to 84 with osteoporosis and prior vertebral fracture who did 3 months of circuit exercises had better walking speed, balance and quality of life at 3 and 12 months than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 89 women · 12 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 67 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporotic spinal fractures did 10 weeks of balance and strength physiotherapy training, reporting less pain, improved quality of life, and improved muscle strength.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 53 women · 10 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 91 timesPubMed
In 58 postmenopausal women over 6 months, whole-body vibration increased hip and spine bone density while high-impact exercise did not, and both improved mobility, quality of life and depressive symptoms.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 58 women · 26 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis who did 12 months of progressive high-impact training gained femoral neck bone mass and improved balance, strength and fitness, with no change in cartilage composition.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 76 women · 52 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 55 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with bone loss did 24 months of strength training and reported significantly improved muscle strength and balance versus non-exercisers, with no significant difference in falls.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 110 women · 104 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 54 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did 18 weeks of progressive quadriceps strength and proprioception training and had fewer falls, better balance and quality of life than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 85 women · 18 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 50 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 75 did 9 months of weighted vest exercise and showed improved balance, leg strength and power versus controls, but no change in femoral neck bone mass.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 44 women · 39 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 75 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who practiced a modified Eight-Section Brocade exercise for 12 months, with or without calcium, had increased bone density, less back pain and better balance than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 198 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did 8 months of twice-weekly whole-body vibration, low or higher intensity, maintained hip and spine bone density while controls lost bone, and improved muscle function.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 47 women · 32 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures did a structured exercise program twice weekly for 12 months and showed better quality of life, balance and functional mobility than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 78 women · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 39 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 52 weeks of hip-targeted strength, balance and jumping exercise with calcium, and showed a small hip bone density benefit plus better quality of life versus controls.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 39 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 49 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who did 6 weeks of treadmill walking, with or without a weighted vest, showed improved bone turnover markers and balance, with greater balance gains using the vest.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 6 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed
In 116 postmenopausal women with a recent wrist fracture, hormone replacement therapy plus calcium over 48 weeks did not improve muscle strength, balance or reduce falls compared with calcium alone.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 116 women · 48 weeks · 1996PostmenopausalCited 56 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women aged 60 and over, a 12-week Pilates program improved lower-body strength and functional flexibility versus controls, but did not improve global cognitive function.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 110 women · 12 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 32 timesPubMed
Older postmenopausal cancer survivors did tai ji quan, strength training, or stretching twice weekly for 6 months and researchers found no difference in fall incidence between groups.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 462 women · 26 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did 6 months of balance and strength exercise and showed improved static and dynamic balance and upper and lower limb strength compared with controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 26 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures who did a 6-month home exercise program of stretching, strength training and walking reported better quality of life and balance than controls, with no change in bone density.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 26 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 113 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass who did tai chi three times weekly for 24 weeks showed increased stride width and improved general health, vitality and bodily pain versus controls, but no balance changes.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 61 women · 24 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did a 12 week program combining resistance, balance and aerobic exercise; the exercise group improved functional measures like Timed Up and Go and fall-efficacy more than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 96 women · 12 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
In a 12-week trial, 110 women over 60 doing Pilates showed better balance confidence, less fear of falling, and improved postural control than a no-exercise control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 110 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did a 24 week high intensity aquatic exercise program and researchers reported fewer falls and improved strength, balance and mobility compared to controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 108 women · 24 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 28 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did 2 months of flamenco and sevillanas dance three times weekly, improving mobility, balance, physical activity, and fitness, but not blood pressure, weight, or quality of life.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 8 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 24 weeks of high-intensity jump-based aquatic exercise, which increased spine, hip, and whole body bone density and improved agility and leg strength versus untrained controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 25 women · 24 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
A review of four trials of tai chi in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found a positive effect on balance but no clear support for benefits in muscle strength or quality of life.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2014PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
Eighty six breast cancer survivors did 12 months of aerobic impact exercise training, and postmenopausal trainees showed small improvements in bone structural strength, agility and grip strength.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 86 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 28 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did foot stamping, squats and line dancing; the program maintained hip bone density and improved leg strength and balance.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 45 women · 2007PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
A systematic review evaluated treatments including exercise for preventing fractures in postmenopausal women, among drug and non-drug options.
Direction not statedSystematic review · 2011PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
Osteopenic postmenopausal women doing 12 months of whole-body vibration training showed no improvement in bone structure, balance, or muscle strength compared to controls.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 31 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 31 timesPubMed
In a 12-month RCT, osteoporotic women aged 65 and over doing sensomotor balance training improved balance scores and had fewer falls than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 100 women · 52 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
In 26 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia, 12 weeks of low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction improved strength, a bone formation marker and balance, similar to higher-intensity training.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 26 women · 12 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
In 60 postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures, 6 weeks of supervised back-strengthening exercise improved spinal pain, muscle strength, mobility and quality of life more than a home program or control.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 60 women · 6 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Inactive postmenopausal women who did recreational team handball twice weekly for 16 weeks showed improved lumbar spine bone density, bone markers and postural balance versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 67 women · 16 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal and elderly women did 12 weeks of traditional or cluster-set resistance training; both methods similarly improved strength, power and functional performance.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 66 women · 12 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did 10 months of land or aquatic exercise; land exercise improved muscle strength, flexibility, gait time, pain and bone density more than aquatic exercise.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 58 women · 43 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
Fifty two postmenopausal women with osteoporosis on alendronate did six months of whole body vibration exercise, and researchers reported improved flexibility, balance and walking velocity versus controls; this publication was later retracted.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 26 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
In 244 women aged 45 to 65 doing a 4-month resistance exercise program, adding a fortified milk drink gave extra gains in lean mass, bone content and balance but not in muscle strength versus exercise with placebo.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 216 women · 16 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women, 8 months of whole-body vibration or walking differently improved fitness measures, with walking better for walking speed and chair rise, vibration better for vertical jump.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 27 women · 35 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 28 timesPubMed
Sedentary women with osteoporosis did a 6 month self-management and activity program, which improved pain, quality of life, balance and function versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 26 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Women recently through menopause did brisk walking with resistance training for 15 weeks and improved leg strength and walking time, but not balance, with 92% adherence.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 134 women · 15 weeks · 2006Early postmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture did a 6-month weighted vest and balance exercise programme, showing no significant difference from education alone in strength, bone density, balance or quality of life.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 80 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
In 30 postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia, a 6 week exercise program with added whole body vibration improved one balance stability measure more than exercise alone, with no other differences.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 30 women · 6 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 8 weeks of water-based exercise with or without blood flow restriction; adding blood flow restriction increased leg strength more than water exercise alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 8 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed
Healthy postmenopausal elderly women who did 12 weeks of elastic-band resistance training showed increased leg blood flow and improved functional ability tests compared to controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 16 women · 12 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did back extensor exercise with or without eldecalcitol for 24 weeks; eldecalcitol increased quadriceps strength but balance, walking and fall rates did not differ.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 226 women · 24 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Older postmenopausal women aged 73 to 88 did a 12 month weight-bearing exercise program; five years after stopping, bone density and neuromuscular function gains were lost in both exercisers and controls.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 34 women · 260 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone density did nine months of resistance exercise plus either balance training or whole body vibration and researchers found both groups improved some balance measures with no difference between groups.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 57 women · 39 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Sedentary women aged 40 to 60 did a balance-strategy training program twice weekly for 12 weeks, improving balance, ankle flexibility and leg muscle strength versus controls, with benefits maintained at 9 months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2009Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70, 8 weeks of core and balance exercises with or without vitamin D improved balance and quality of life, with no added benefit from vitamin D.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 99 women · 8 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women with fibromyalgia did core strengthening or stretching exercise twice weekly for four weeks; both groups reported improved symptoms, with no significant difference between groups.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 4 weeks · 2021Midlife womenCited 12 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone density did 9 months of resistance training plus either whole body vibration or balance training; vibration produced greater gains in jump power.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 57 women · 36 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Over 10 weeks, sedentary postmenopausal women doing aerobic and strength training with or without whole-body electrostimulation improved strength, agility and speed, with added cardiovascular benefit from electrostimulation.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 34 women · 10 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 were followed for up to 6 years; higher recreational physical activity was associated with greater risk of falling, an unexpected finding.
Reported a worseningCohort study · 93,676 women · 312 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 27 timesPubMed
In 32 postmenopausal women aged 62 to 75, six weeks of stair climbing, electrostimulation, or both increased leg strength and vertical jump, with combined training also affecting bone density.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 32 women · 6 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
Inactive postmenopausal women did recreational team handball training for 36 weeks and researchers reported improved fitness, knee strength, lumbar spine bone density, and lipid markers.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 45 women · 36 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
In 42 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis-related kyphosis, adding kinesiotaping to an exercise program reduced pain but did not improve kyphosis angle or balance more than exercise alone.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 42 women · 6 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed
Fifty postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 12 weeks of light to moderate aerobic walking; bone formation and resorption markers did not differ from controls, but pain, walking speed and balance improved.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did Kinect-based virtual reality training plus daily walking for 24 weeks and showed greater improvements in physical performance and quality of life than walking alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 24 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
In 85 middle-aged women, 12 weeks of Zumba training improved mobility, gait speed and lower body endurance, with caffeine supplementation further boosting these gains except for dynamic balance.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 85 women · 12 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 8 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 12 months of leg strength training with or without whole body vibration, and the vibration group showed greater leg strength gains and fewer falls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 151 women · 52 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 10 weeks of resistance training with normal or higher protein intake; higher protein gave a small added gain in walking speed but not strength or lean mass quality.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 47 women · 10 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women did 12 weeks of vibration training or conventional strength training, with vibration improving postural sway and both groups gaining knee strength.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 38 women · 12 weeks · 2010Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 12 months of vibration or resistance training, bone density was maintained in all groups, and resistance training improved quality of life and postural control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 52 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
914 older women aged around 76 were followed for 2 years in an exercise intervention trial, and better balance and functional test scores predicted fewer falls and fall injuries.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 914 women · 104 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In 151 postmenopausal women over one year, multifunctional training with or without whole-body vibration increased lumbar spine bone density, and vibration training reduced falls versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 151 women · 52 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
In 36 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 12 weeks of water-based physical therapy improved postural balance more than land-based therapy, which showed no significant change.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 12 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Older postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of resistance training three times weekly; the training group showed greater gains in upper and lower limb endurance and dynamic balance than controls, but no coordination difference.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 49 women · 12 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis did 6 weeks of virtual reality or traditional strength-balance training and researchers reported the VR group had reduced fear of falling and improved balance control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 20 women · 6 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 8 weeks of twice-weekly resistance training, and both groups increased muscle strength equally, with quality of life and balance improving only in the group without added light therapy.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 34 women · 8 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
In middle-aged women, 4 weeks of interval cycle training improved balance test scores more with a standard cycle ergometer than a strength ergometer.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 women · 4 weeks · 2009Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
32 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis did 12 weeks of conventional exercise with or without added Tree Pose yoga; both groups improved balance measures, with added gains in single-leg stance.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 32 women · 12 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
60 perimenopausal women were randomized to aerobic training, estrogen plus progesterone therapy, or control for 18 months; the hormone therapy group showed better results in 3 of 6 balance measures.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 60 women · 78 weeks · 2007PerimenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 12 weeks of balance and coordination training improved balance, while strengthening exercise improved pain, and no falls occurred during follow-up.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 12 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of combined aerobic and strength training and showed improved gait speed, stride length, postural balance and aerobic capacity versus a non-training control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 16 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
A 6 month Tai Chi program in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis improved physical quality of life scores and some balance measures versus usual care, though between-group balance differences were not significant.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 98 women · 26 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 24 weeks of resistance training with different load-order schemes and both approaches improved strength, sit-to-stand power and walking speed similarly.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 24 women · 24 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
In 40 overweight or obese postmenopausal women with low vitamin D, 8 weeks of water-based aerobic training with vitamin D3 improved BMI, grip strength, balance and gait speed more than either alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 8 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Fourteen postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 took beetroot juice nitrate or placebo for eight days; a 6-minute walk test improved with nitrate but other performance tests did not differ.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 14 women · 1 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 14 weeks of functional training; both element-based and task-specific programs improved functional reach, gait speed and quality of life versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 47 women · 14 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women with high fall risk did 4 weeks of motor imagery training combined with brain stimulation and showed greater improvement in static and dynamic balance than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 30 women · 4 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60, Zumba training improved postural control under conflicting sensory conditions more than Pilates training.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 57 women · 2024PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women did 12 weeks of Zumba training with or without caffeine, with the combined group showing significant improvements in postural balance and cognitive performance on unstable surfaces.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 56 women · 12 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
In sedentary middle-aged women, a 6 month Hatha yoga program three times weekly improved body fat, strength, aerobic fitness and balance compared to no training.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 80 women · 26 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis doing an 18 month exercise program, individually coached and group coached training showed similar improvements in physical function and activity levels.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 52 women · 78 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did a 12-month exercise and nutrition program then 6 months of voluntary home exercise; most physical benefits were maintained but bone and balance gains were not fully sustained with low exercise frequency.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 45 women · 78 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
In 39 middle-aged women, 12 weeks of single-leg strength training produced crossover strength and balance gains in the untrained leg, stronger when the non-dominant leg trained.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 39 women · 12 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did 12 months of exercise with or without alendronate; exercise raised muscle power, balance and aerobic capacity but gains faded 15 months after stopping.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 102 women · 65 weeks · 2004Early postmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
24 middle-aged women did water-based neuromuscular stabilization training twice weekly for 12 weeks and showed improved balance and functional movement scores versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 women · 12 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women aged 47 to 53 took part in a Greek folk dance programme, which improved static and dynamic postural balance compared to a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 63 women · 2015Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
In 42 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of Zumba training improved postural balance, lower limb strength, mood, and quality of life compared with baseline.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 12 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Thirty-four middle-aged women with knee pain did 12 weeks of rehabilitative exercise scheduled in massed or distributed sessions, and both improved balance, functional performance and pain versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 34 women · 12 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
In 71 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of HIIT Nordic walking increased lean mass and lower limb strength, while strength training reduced fat mass and improved upper limb strength and walking speed.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 71 women · 12 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
In pre, peri and postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of low-impact resistance training improved hip strength, balance, flexibility and lean mass equally regardless of menopause status.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 70 women · 12 weeks · 2025Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
In a 12-week RCT, 24 middle-aged women used a home Wii Fit Plus balance program with 95% compliance but no significant improvement in total balance scale scores versus control.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 24 women · 12 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia who did 24 weeks of aerobic dance showed increased femoral neck bone density, grip strength, and physical quality of life compared to controls.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 80 women · 24 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Thirty-six middle-aged women with sarcopenia did 12 weeks of resistance exercise with or without nitrate supplementation after knee surgery, and nitrate plus exercise improved muscle mass and strength more.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 12 weeks · 2025Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
Women aged 63 to 79 with osteopenia or osteoporosis did 12 weeks of Nordic walking three times weekly and showed increased skeletal muscle mass, knee strength, and functional performance versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 45 women · 12 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
A 6-month adapted exercise program in 44 postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures improved quality of life, fear of falling, balance, gait, and functional exercise capacity compared with controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 44 women · 26 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed
62 postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of tai chi; dynapenic women showed improved handgrip strength, function and health perception, and both groups had lower blood pressure.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 62 women · 12 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
Osteopenic postmenopausal women who stood on a vibration platform 20 minutes daily for a year improved hip and back muscle strength, grip strength, and balance versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 122 women · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed
In 194 women aged 65 to 79 with osteopenia or osteoporosis, 9 months of dynamic multicomponent exercise improved gait speed, trunk endurance, and balance more than OsteoStrong, though both improved grip and back strength.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 194 women · 39 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
An RCT of 51 middle-aged women with chronic low back pain found core stability and postural control training both reduced pain and disability, with postural training also improving proprioception.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 51 women · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass and past fractures followed a long-term home exercise program, but showed no differences in fracture rates, falls, or bone density versus controls.
No difference foundControlled trial · 25 women · 2000PostmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
An 8 week high-intensity functional exercise program improved physical performance, dual-task performance and menopausal symptom scores in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 compared with controls.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 40 women · 8 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
In a follow-up of 33 postmenopausal Korean women with osteosarcopenia, six months after stopping resistance or home exercise, muscle strength, gait speed and bone density declined while muscle mass stayed stable.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 33 women · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women on alendronate did resistance training, judo, water aerobics or no exercise for 12 months; resistance training and judo groups showed greater gains in spine bone density, balance and quality of life than controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 35 women · 52 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
In a 12-week trial, middle-aged women doing home-based slow-paced breathing showed similar balance and aerobic endurance to controls, with no significant between-group differences.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 26 women · 12 weeks · 2025Midlife womenPubMed
Obese middle-aged women did a 12-week diet and aerobic program with or without acceleration training; adding acceleration training improved grip strength, balance and flexibility beyond diet and aerobic exercise alone.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 28 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 10 timesPubMed
In healthy older postmenopausal women receiving estrogen, muscle mass adjusted for body mass predicted physical performance measures like walking speed better than muscle mass adjusted for height.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 189 women · 2007PostmenopausalCited 72 timesPubMed
In a 3 month combined aerobic and strength training program, obese and lean premenopausal middle-aged women improved similarly across most fitness, strength and balance measures, with high enjoyment in both groups.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 72 women · 12 weeks · 2023OtherCited 4 timesPubMed
Fall-prone postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of Taijiquan and improved balance, flexibility, arm curl strength, and handgrip strength versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In 309 Australian women aged 36 to 57, higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but not sedentary time, was associated with better bone density, leg strength and functional mobility.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 309 women · 2017Midlife womenCited 39 timesPubMed
Women aged around 75 did a 12-session Judo-inspired fall-training program and showed significantly improved backward and lateral fall competence versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 45 women · 2025PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
In 47 postmenopausal women, a 12 week dual-task Pilates plus cognitive stimulation program improved verbal fluency, memory, leg strength and balance compared to baseline.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 47 women · 12 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
A six month community exercise program for perimenopausal and menopausal women improved quality of life and physical condition, especially aerobic fitness, strength and balance, versus inactive controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 26 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
In 45 middle-aged women who had not exercised regularly, a 12 week mat Pilates program twice weekly improved body composition, core and lower limb strength, agility and balance versus no intervention.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 45 women · 12 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with joint pain from aromatase inhibitors did twice-weekly yoga for 8 weeks; balance, flexibility, quality of life improved and pain severity decreased.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 8 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 64 timesPubMed
In 16 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis, 10 weeks of yoga classes reduced pain and depression scores and improved balance, with no significant change in cortisol patterns.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 16 women · 10 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did a 6-week lower body strength training program, and those also on hormone replacement showed improved gait balance, while strength gains were not statistically significant in either group.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 31 women · 6 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 19 weeks of community-based high- and odd-impact, resistance and balance training and showed reduced body fat and modest bone density gains but no change in strength or balance.
No difference foundControlled trial · 22 women · 19 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In 21 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors, a 12-month program of home strength training plus alendronate, calcium and vitamin D improved balance, muscle strength and spine and hip bone density.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 21 women · 52 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with joint pain from aromatase inhibitors did group tai chi twice weekly for 8 weeks and reported improved anxiety, depression, fatigue and emotional wellbeing, with no significant change in pain or balance.
No difference foundBefore-and-after study · 12 women · 8 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Over six weeks, postmenopausal obese women doing aquatic resistance, balance and proprioceptive training showed greater improvements in strength, balance and ankle-foot alignment than land-based exercise.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 143 women · 6 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
Among 60 postmenopausal women, worse single-leg balance and slower timed-up-and-go walking tests were associated with lower bone mineral density on DEXA scans.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 60 women · 2021PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
In a 52-week pilot study of 50 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, a home exercise app produced greater gains in hip bone density and quality of life than a pamphlet.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 50 women · 52 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did daily 20-minute brisk walking had lower body sway than inactive controls, with less sway reported as walking duration increased.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 31 women · 1998PostmenopausalCited 16 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did a 6-month weighted-vest and education program, with high adherence and improved quadriceps strength and hip bone density.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 42 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
In 63 postmenopausal women with low bone mass, jumping power, not muscle strength or size, was most strongly related to postural control on an unstable surface.
Mixed resultsCross-sectional study · 63 women · 2018PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis did high-impact training, impact plus calcium/vitamin D, or brisk walking plus supplements for 2 years; the impact plus supplement group showed the largest bone density gains.
No difference foundBefore-and-after study · 39 women · 104 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A 70 year old postmenopausal woman with osteoporosis did 12 months of power based resistance training and showed increased bone density at the spine and hip and reduced fall risk.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 1 women · 52 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
This narrative review summarized medical literature finding that regular exercise in midlife and postmenopausal women is linked with reduced obesity, cancer, dementia, mood symptoms, and osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementOther · 2015Midlife womenCited 56 timesPubMed
In 38 postmenopausal women with low bone density, 8 months of weekly OsteoStrong sessions did not improve hip or spine bone density, though some physical function measures improved.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 38 women · 32 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
Three elderly women did 40 weeks of jumping, balance and strength exercise, with or without raloxifene, which improved balance, gait speed and leg strength but had limited effect on bone density.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 3 women · 40 weeks · 2002PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In 175 postmenopausal women, insufficient physical activity was the strongest predictor of slow gait speed, with nearly four times higher odds of functional decline than active women.
Reported a worseningCross-sectional study · 175 women · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
A literature review reported that exercise, especially high impact activities like stepping and jumping, produced modest bone density benefits in postmenopausal women and reduced hip fracture incidence.
Reported an improvementOther · 1999PostmenopausalCited 39 timesPubMed
This protocol describes an 8-month trial testing whether high-intensity resistance and impact training with or without osteoporosis medication changes bone density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass, no results yet.
Direction not statedOther · 160 women · 32 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Thirty-six postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 did 12 weeks of hatha balance flow yoga and showed improved balance, lower-body strength, and upper-body response time versus a control period.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 36 women · 12 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 did 12 weeks of twice-weekly hatha Balance Flow Yoga and described perceived physical, emotional and social benefits in focus group discussions.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 36 women · 12 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalPubMed
This protocol describes a one-year trial in 324 men and postmenopausal women with low bone density comparing moderate versus high intensity resistance training on spine bone density, with no results yet.
Direction not statedOther · 324 women · 52 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Nine middle-aged women completed 24 rhythmic step aerobics sessions and showed improved movement smoothness and stepping adaptation, especially in backward stepping.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 9 women · 2025Midlife womenPubMed
This protocol describes an 8 month trial testing high-intensity resistance and impact exercise combined with romosozumab versus low-intensity exercise in 102 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, results not yet reported.
Direction not statedOther · 102 women · 32 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
A position statement concluded regular exercise may reduce bone loss rate and improve muscle strength and balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, though less effective than estrogen for bone density.
Reported an improvementOther · 2000PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
A review reported that weight-bearing activity and resistance training may reduce bone loss after menopause, and activities improving strength and balance may lower fall and fracture risk.
Reported an improvementOther · 1998Midlife womenCited 19 timesPubMed
A review of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found most studies reported exercise improved quality of life and physical domains like muscle strength and balance.
Reported an improvementOther · 2014PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed
A pilot RCT protocol will test a 9-month high-intensity resistance and impact training program in 40 perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women, assessing feasibility and bone, muscle and function measures.
Direction not statedOther · 40 women · 36 weeks · 2025PerimenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
This review reported that both aerobic exercise and weight training help maintain or build bone density in postmenopausal women, with weight training also improving strength and balance.
Reported an improvementOther · 1999PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
This article argued sarcopenia often begins at menopause and discussed resistance training, diet and early diagnosis as low-risk interventions during midlife.
Direction not statedOther · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
This protocol describes a trial testing whole-body vibration, high-intensity resistance and impact training, or both, over 9 months in postmenopausal women with low bone mass, measuring hip bone density.
Direction not statedOther · 36 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A primary care guideline review recommended adults 50 and older, including postmenopausal women, do balance, functional, and resistance training twice weekly to help manage fracture risk.
Direction not statedOther · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A review reported that combined muscle strengthening, aerobic, progressive resistance and high impact exercise programs were linked to increased bone mineral density, and balance exercises reduced falls in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementOther · 2014PostmenopausalPubMed