A meta-analysis of 16 trials in older postmenopausal women found whole-body vibration raised lumbar spine bone density while aerobic exercise lowered it, with no overall effect on femoral neck density.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 1,624 participants pooled · 2020PostmenopausalCited 43 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 53 studies in women over 60 found exercise training increased bone mineral density at the femoral neck, lumbar spine and trochanter, with no change in total hip or total body.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,896 participants pooled · 2022PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials in postmenopausal women found both aerobic and strength training were associated with higher regional bone mineral density than no exercise.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 719 participants pooled · 1998PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 49 trials in postmenopausal women found combined aerobic plus resistance training produced the largest bone density gains, followed by aerobic exercise and resistance training alone.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 3,360 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials found aerobics, weight-bearing and resistance exercise increased spine bone density in postmenopausal women, and walking also increased hip bone density.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2002PostmenopausalCited 158 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 10 studies in postmenopausal women found aerobic exercise was linked to higher lumbar spine bone mineral density compared with non-exercising women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 330 participants pooled · 1998PostmenopausalCited 42 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 18 trials found walking, running and aerobic exercise programs reduced lumbar spine bone density loss in postmenopausal women but had no effect on forearm or femoral bone mass.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 1997PostmenopausalCited 119 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials in menopausal women found exercise improved body fat, waist circumference, triglycerides, and lumbar spine bone density compared with no exercise.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 792 participants pooled · 2018Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of six studies found aerobic exercise was linked to a moderately positive effect on hip bone density in postmenopausal women, about 2.4% greater than non-exercisers.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1998PostmenopausalCited 56 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs with 1067 postmenopausal women found exercise increased bone formation markers and reduced bone resorption markers, with aerobic exercise lowering CTX and both aerobic and resistance exercise raising osteocalcin.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,067 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A review of eight randomised trials in climacteric women found aerobic exercise improved menopause symptoms and quality of life, while resistance training strengthened muscles and increased bone density.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
A systematic review found a single session of aerobic exercise increased bone turnover markers in middle-aged and older adults, while resistance exercise effects varied by marker.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 368 participants pooled · 2021Midlife womenCited 34 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 55 trials in postmenopausal women found multicomponent and mind-body training ranked highest for improving bone density at various sites.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 3,453 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 40 studies with 2,230 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 found aerobic, resistance and combined training all significantly improved bone mineral density at the spine, hip and other sites.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,230 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs found progressive exercise training, including resistance, aerobic, impact, vibration and tai chi, improved bone mineral density and, in some studies, quality of life.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
A review of 100 trials in postmenopausal women found moderate to high intensity exercise, especially combined resistance and impact training, benefited bone mass more than low intensity exercise.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2021PostmenopausalCited 56 timesPubMed
A review found that 12 to 16 weeks of recreational football training in women aged 18 to 65 improved aerobic fitness, blood pressure, fat loss, lipid profile and bone mineralisation.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2018Midlife womenCited 45 timesPubMed
A systematic review of randomized trials found exercise, including Tai Chi, aerobic exercise and pilates, improved bone mineral density and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2020PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
In 75 inactive postmenopausal breast cancer survivors, 6 months of moderate aerobic exercise reduced body fat, increased lean mass, and maintained bone density compared with usual care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 75 women · 26 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 123 timesPubMed
Women with breast cancer on chemotherapy did 6 months of aerobic or resistance exercise; aerobic exercise better preserved bone density and both improved fitness and strength versus usual care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 66 women · 26 weeks · 2007Midlife womenCited 117 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did weight-bearing exercise, aerobic dancing and flexibility work three times weekly for 12 months, and spinal bone density stabilized versus decline in controls, with improved fitness and wellbeing.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 124 women · 52 weeks · 1996PostmenopausalCited 104 timesPubMed
Over 12 months, 400 previously inactive postmenopausal women doing 300 versus 150 minutes weekly of aerobic exercise showed a smaller decline in bone mineral density with the higher dose.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did a 12 month weight loss program with aerobic exercise plus vitamin D3 or placebo, and vitamin D did not improve lean mass or bone density but leg strength decreased more.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 218 women · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Sedentary middle-aged women did 15 weeks of soccer or swim training, and soccer training increased bone turnover markers and leg bone density while swimming did not.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 83 women · 15 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 47 timesPubMed
An umbrella review found low intensity jumping improved hip bone density, concurrent training improved spine and hip sites, while aerobic and resistance exercise alone showed inconsistent effects in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2023PostmenopausalCited 7 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 a 10-week RCT, postmenopausal women with low bone mass doing step aerobics three times weekly showed reduced bone resorption marker change and improved muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance versus controls, with no BMD change.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 48 women · 10 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 41 timesPubMed
In 43 postmenopausal women over 9 months, moderate-intensity endurance exercise did not favorably change bone turnover markers or bone mineral density, with or without soy protein.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 43 women · 39 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did a year of walking and aerobic training; the exercise group showed a greater increase in osteoprotegerin, a bone-protective marker, than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 92 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
Early breast cancer patients did a 12 month step aerobics and impact exercise program; premenopausal women kept hip bone density benefits for 3 years but not 5, with no bone effect seen in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 444 women · 260 weeks · 2021Midlife womenCited 16 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.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 45 women · 2007PostmenopausalCited 36 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
Inactive pre-menopausal women with mild hypertension who did one year of small-sided soccer training had greater reductions in blood pressure and fat mass, and improved bone mineral density, lipids and fitness than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 31 women · 52 weeks · 2017OtherCited 25 timesPubMed
A review of 17 trials in Korean postmenopausal women found combined aerobic and resistance training improved bone density at the spine, hip, and other sites more consistently than either alone.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2016PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In a 12 month trial, 170 sedentary overweight postmenopausal women doing moderate aerobic exercise showed no significant change in bone density or lean mass versus stretching controls.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 170 women · 52 weeks · 2006PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
A review of 6 RCTs found strength training and walking improved bone density and lean mass in early postmenopausal women, but no exercise type improved these outcomes during perimenopause.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2025PerimenopausalCited 2 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.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Inactive women aged 30 to 50 did 12 weeks of Zumba or Aquagym; Zumba improved hip and femoral neck bone density compared with controls, while total bone mineral content did not differ.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 55 women · 12 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 8 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women did jogging, gymnastics and wrist weight exercises for up to a year, which stopped bone density loss at the wrist after the first six months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 83 women · 52 weeks · 1998Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women who lost weight with or without aerobic exercise over 6 months and were followed for a year showed similar bone density loss in both groups.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 52 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Abdominally obese postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of endurance or endurance-strength training, with the combined group showing increased whole-body bone density and both groups improving physical capacity.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 101 women · 12 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
In 43 osteopenic postmenopausal women, a 24-week walking plus step exercise program increased femoral neck bone density, strength and fitness versus a non-exercising control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 43 women · 24 weeks · 2000PostmenopausalCited 71 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did low-impact dance three times weekly for 16 weeks, and researchers reported improvements in a bone formation marker and parts of cognitive and functional fitness.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 16 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Seventy one sedentary postmenopausal women did aerobic exercise with or without whole body vibration; both groups reported improved cognitive accuracy and bone-related markers, with vibration plus aerobic exercise more effective.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 71 women · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 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
In 60 postmenopausal women, 16 weeks of aerobic or combined aerobic plus strength training improved body composition and metabolic markers, but leg lean mass returned to pre-training levels after 6 months of detraining.
Direction not statedControlled trial · 60 women · 16 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 27 timesPubMed
After a 10-month aerobics or aerobics plus weight training program, postmenopausal women aged 57 to 83 had forearm bone mineral content increase, while controls lost bone.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 31 women · 43 weeks · 1990PostmenopausalCited 37 timesPubMed
A 6-month pilot trial in 36 postmenopausal women combining weight-bearing aerobic exercise with calcium and vitamin D fortified meals found no significant difference in bone density between groups.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 36 women · 26 weeks · 2026Early postmenopausalPubMed
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 4-month endurance exercise weight-loss program in obese postmenopausal women, bone strength estimate (section modulus) decreased significantly before bone density changes appeared.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 24 women · 16 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
In 13 postmenopausal women, a single resistance exercise session raised bone markers osteocalcin, sclerostin, and OPG more than interval running did 24 hours later.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 13 women · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Among well-trained women, postmenopausal participants had lower spine, pelvis and total bone mineral density than premenopausal eumenorrheic women despite exercising.
Reported a worseningCross-sectional study · 42 women · 2023PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
This review reported that vigorous aerobic and strength training generally increased bone density in postmenopausal women, while walking alone was relatively ineffective.
Mixed resultsOther · 1992PostmenopausalCited 135 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
A review reported that combining progressive resistance training with walking or aerobic dance may help spine and hip bone density, while whole body vibration did not improve bone density in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsOther · 2012PostmenopausalCited 44 timesPubMed
A biomechanical modeling study in postmenopausal women found fast walking and running produced higher femoral neck bone strains than normal walking, suggesting potential to help preserve bone density.
Reported an improvementOther · 2018PostmenopausalCited 32 timesPubMed
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
A review reported that calcium supplementation plus aerobic training increased femoral neck cortical bone density in postmenopausal women, while exercise also increased trabecular bone in the spine.
Reported an improvementOther · 1998Midlife womenCited 25 timesPubMed
A review reported that habitual running and aerobic exercise were linked to higher bone density, better fitness, lower blood pressure and reduced coronary risk in women including postmenopausal groups.
Reported an improvementOther · 1991Midlife womenCited 29 timesPubMed
A review reported that aerobic and resistance exercise in menopausal women was linked to improved cardiovascular fitness, increased bone mineral content, greater muscle strength and reduced body fat.
Reported an improvementOther · 1990Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
This review reported that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women benefit from endurance and strength exercise, improving fitness, bone health, and quality of life.
Reported an improvementOther · 2000Midlife womenCited 10 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
A review of 11 studies found aerobic exercise gave a mild protective effect on bone density and reduced fat mass in postmenopausal women with obesity, especially combined with resistance training or caloric restriction.
Reported an improvementOther · 2024PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
A trial protocol will compare 12 weeks of urban dance versus functional fitness against a control group for physical and psychological effects in postmenopausal women aged 40 to 59.
Direction not statedOther · 12 weeks · 2025Early postmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
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