Does water-based exercise affect bone density in menopause? What 12 studies found

A meta-analysis of 20 trials found water-based exercise improved muscle strength, aerobic capacity and flexibility versus no exercise in postmenopausal women, with similar effects to land-based exercise.

No difference foundMeta-analysis · 2022PostmenopausalCited 4 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

In postmenopausal women taking calcium and vitamin D, 24 weeks of high-intensity aquatic exercise increased a bone formation marker and limited bone resorption and femoral bone loss compared with controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 108 women · 24 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 36 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

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.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 58 women · 43 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed

This protocol describes a planned trial testing 4 months of aquatic resistance exercise on knee cartilage, pain, function, bone and quality of life in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis.

Direction not statedRandomised trial · 80 women · 16 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed

In 62 sedentary postmenopausal women with low bone ultrasound scores, 6 months of aquatic or weight-bearing exercise both increased calcaneal bone ultrasound attenuation versus controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 62 women · 26 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 20 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

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

An 11-month combined weight-bearing and water exercise program in postmenopausal women with low bone density increased hip t-score and preserved bone quality versus non-exercising controls.

Reported an improvementControlled trial · 125 women · 48 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed

77 postmenopausal women with low bone mass did water-based weight-bearing exercise for 12 months, improving fitness and wellbeing but not preventing spinal bone density decline.

Reported a worseningBefore-and-after study · 77 women · 52 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women who had trained in resistance exercise or aquatic weight-bearing exercise for years had higher bone density at several sites than non-trained controls, with no difference between the two exercise types.

Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 63 women · 2013PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed