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.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 4,320 participants pooled · 2011PostmenopausalCited 400 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of RCTs found that ground and joint reaction exercise of at least 24 weeks produced small but significant improvements in femoral neck and lumbar spine bone density in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,632 participants pooled · 24 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 96 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of randomised trials found at least 6 months of supervised weight-bearing exercise did not significantly improve lower-extremity bone strength in postmenopausal women.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 24 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 303 timesPubMed
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 35 randomized trials found both impact exercise like aerobics and non-impact exercise like weight training reduced spine bone loss in pre and postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2000Midlife womenCited 252 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of postmenopausal women found that programs mixing jogging, walking, stair climbing or resistance exercise reduced bone loss at the hip and spine, while high-impact-only exercise did not.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2009PostmenopausalCited 186 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of nine studies in postmenopausal women found whole body vibration alone improved hip and spine bone density, but added little when combined with exercise training.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 527 participants pooled · 2016PostmenopausalCited 44 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 13 trials with 699 postmenopausal women found exercise produced a small but statistically significant increase in lumbar spine bone density compared with controls.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 699 participants pooled · 2002PostmenopausalCited 55 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 meta-analysis of 24 trials found resistance training combined with high-impact or weight-bearing exercise improved hip and spine bone density in postmenopausal women more than resistance alone.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2015PostmenopausalCited 135 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
Reviewing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, authors reported combined impact and resistance exercise best preserved bone density in pre- and postmenopausal women, while whole-body vibration showed no benefit.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2016Midlife womenCited 131 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 53 trials found high intensity exercise increased spine bone density more than low or moderate intensity in postmenopausal women, with resistance and impact training most effective.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2021PostmenopausalCited 98 timesPubMed
In this meta-analysis of controlled trials lasting at least 6 months, postmenopausal women doing weight-bearing, resistance, or mixed exercise showed improved bone density at the spine, hip and femoral neck.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 24 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 94 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found high intensity resistance training modestly increased spine bone density in postmenopausal women, with inconsistent effects at the femoral neck.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 2006PostmenopausalCited 129 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of six trials in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found high-intensity resistance and impact training improved lumbar spine bone density more than moderate-intensity training.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 391 participants pooled · 2022PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of controlled trials lasting at least six months found dynamic resistance training produced low to moderate improvements in bone density at the spine, femoral neck and hip in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 24 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 84 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.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2,646 participants pooled · 2004Early postmenopausalCited 219 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 12 trials found resistance training in postmenopausal women improved functional capacity, bone density, and reduced hot flash frequency and fat mass versus no exercise.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 452 participants pooled · 16 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 18 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 five trials in older or postmenopausal adults found creatine supplementation added to resistance training did not improve bone mineral density more than resistance training alone.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 193 participants pooled · 12 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of controlled trials found resistance training had a positive effect on lumbar spine bone density in women generally and on femur and radius bone density specifically in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2001Midlife womenCited 93 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 17 trials in postmenopausal women found resistance training, especially high intensity three times weekly for 48 or more weeks, improved bone density at the spine, femoral neck and hip.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 690 participants pooled · 48 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 11 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 systematic review of 59 trials found strength training and multi-component or vibration exercise programs helped maintain or increase bone mass in older adults, especially postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2012PostmenopausalCited 205 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 meta-analysis of seven trials, median 38 weeks, found creatine supplementation, especially with resistance training, modestly increased lean mass and leg-press strength in postmenopausal women without changing bone density.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 608 participants pooled · 2026PostmenopausalCited 2 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 12 RCTs found resistance training significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake and upper and lower body strength in healthy postmenopausal women, with less clear effects on bone density.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 2024PostmenopausalCited 9 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 systematic review of pQCT studies found exercise modestly improved bone mass and geometry in postmenopausal women, with the biggest changes from high-impact loading exercise.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2010PostmenopausalCited 91 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.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 70 women · 24 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 445 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 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 of 20 studies found high-intensity weight training over about a year increased bone mineral density at the spine and hip in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 52 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 74 timesPubMed
Belgian guidelines for postmenopausal osteoporosis, based on review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews, recommend combining weight-bearing and resistance training with adequate calcium and vitamin D.
Direction not statedSystematic review · 2020PostmenopausalCited 46 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 14 trials with 763 women across reproductive stages found protein, amino acid or creatine supplementation added to exercise did not improve muscle mass or bone density but improved bench press and handgrip strength.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 763 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A review of 19 studies found moderate intensity resistance training three days a week improved lumbar spine and femoral neck bone density in postmenopausal women better than other protocols.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 919 participants pooled · 2023PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs found high-intensity, impact and strength training produced small but significant bone density increases at the hip and spine in postmenopausal, but not premenopausal, women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 379 participants pooled · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A systematic review of 15 studies found that multicomponent training combining resistance, weight-bearing and impact exercise could increase or preserve muscle and bone mass in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2018PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
Fifty six postmenopausal women did a 1 year resistance training program, and authors found strength-type training increased bone density at hip and forearm sites more than endurance-type training.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 56 women · 52 weeks · 1996Early postmenopausalCited 248 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors did 1 year of thrice-weekly resistance plus impact training, and researchers found preserved spine bone density and increased lean mass compared to a stretching control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 106 women · 52 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 144 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did back-strengthening exercise for 2 years; 10 years later the exercise group had stronger back muscles, higher bone density, and fewer vertebral fractures than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 104 weeks · 2002PostmenopausalCited 206 timesPubMed
A review of 10 randomized trials over 24+ weeks found high-impact exercise and whole body vibration were most linked to improved bone mineral density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 24 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 30 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 12 RCTs found strength exercises in menopausal women reported improvements in leg and pelvic floor strength, bone density, metabolic and hormonal markers, blood pressure, and hot flashes.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2023Midlife womenCited 24 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
Breast cancer survivors with premature menopause did a year of impact plus resistance training, which improved hip bone density and limited fat gain compared with a placebo exercise group among those over a year postmenopausal.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 71 women · 52 weeks · 2013Early postmenopausalCited 96 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
A 2-year strength training program in postmenopausal women increased bone density at the hip, especially the intertrochanter site, versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 126 women · 104 weeks · 2001PostmenopausalCited 104 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.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 351 women · 104 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 62 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with bone loss did 24 months of strength training alongside medication, calcium and vitamin D, and those who exercised were less likely to lose bone density at the hip.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 223 women · 104 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 69 timesPubMed
25 early postmenopausal women did high-load or high-repetition resistance training for 6 months, both groups gained similar muscle strength and size but neither improved spine or hip bone density.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 25 women · 26 weeks · 2000Early postmenopausalCited 121 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did 24 weeks of moderate or high intensity resistance training; high intensity training increased hip bone density and both groups gained muscle strength and mass, but spine bone density did not improve.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 26 women · 24 weeks · 2000Early postmenopausalCited 104 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of twice weekly high intensity resistance training with impact loading and showed improved hip and spine bone density and function versus a low intensity home program.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 32 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 72 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 8 months of resistance training with or without whole-body vibration, with vibration adding extra strength gains but neither improving bone density or bone markers.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 55 women · 35 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 70 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia did 12 weeks of squat based maximal strength training and researchers found increased strength and increased bone mineral content at the spine and hip.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 16 women · 12 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 83 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 49 to 55 took hormone therapy or placebo, each with or without exercise, and researchers found exercise improved bone density mainly in the placebo group, with no added effect when combined with estrogen.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 78 women · 104 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 83 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of six trials found high-intensity resistance training combined with high-impact training for 8 months or longer improved femoral neck cortical thickness in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing resistance training for 12 months with creatine supplementation showed less femoral neck bone loss and greater strength gains than resistance training with placebo.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 33 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 61 timesPubMed
In 53 postmenopausal women doing 12 months of resistance training, power training maintained hip and spine bone density while slower strength training lost bone at both sites.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 53 women · 52 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 70 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did one year of resistance training with or without hormone therapy, and resistance training alone increased spine bone density as much as hormone therapy did.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 141 women · 52 weeks · 2007Early postmenopausalCited 54 timesPubMed
Surgically menopausal women took estrogen alone or estrogen plus weight training for 1 year; researchers found spine and total body bone density increased more with added exercise.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 20 women · 52 weeks · 1991PostmenopausalCited 112 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of high-intensity resistance and impact training or low-intensity Pilates-based training; the high-intensity program increased spine bone density and muscle strength more.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 115 women · 35 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 38 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.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 44 women · 39 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 75 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with bone loss did 24 weeks of strength or circuit training; both groups gained muscle strength and fitness but bone density did not change.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 28 women · 24 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 61 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women with osteopenia doing high-intensity weight-bearing resistance training three times weekly for about 13 months improved spine bone density, lean mass, body fat, strength and menopausal symptoms versus low-intensity controls.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 54 women · 56 weeks · 2021Early postmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 6 months of strengthening or high-impact exercise; high-impact training increased bone density at spine and hip and both improved quality of life.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 26 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 48 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.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 39 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 49 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 did 2 years of strength or power resistance training; power training better maintained lumbar spine bone density than strength training.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 53 women · 104 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 50 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women doing a year of progressive strength training, more weight lifted in squats and marches was linked to greater increases in hip and total body bone density.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 140 women · 52 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 44 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged about 66 did resistance training 3 times weekly for 6 months with or without antioxidant vitamins; lumbar spine bone density declined only in the placebo group, remaining stable with exercise.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 34 women · 26 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 50 timesPubMed
Over 2 years, postmenopausal women doing resistance training and walking with creatine supplementation showed no extra bone density benefit over placebo, but some bone geometry and lean mass measures improved.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 237 women · 104 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Breast cancer survivors did twice weekly weight training for 12 months and showed no significant difference in bone density change versus controls, though postmenopausal controls had more new osteopenia.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 258 women · 52 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 28 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.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 26 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 113 timesPubMed
A review of 13 randomized trials found that exercise, especially high-impact exercise, generally improved bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2022PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did progressive strength training for up to 4 years, and higher exercise frequency was linked to greater bone density gains at the hip and spine, especially among hormone therapy users.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 167 women · 208 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
A scoping review of 20 studies found resistance training combined with impact activity improved bone density in menopausal women, with greater benefit when combined with hormone therapy than either alone.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2025Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did strength training three times weekly for 12 months, with or without etidronate, and gained muscle strength and lean mass and lost fat, but exercise did not add to bone density gains from the drug.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 48 women · 52 weeks · 2002PostmenopausalCited 46 timesPubMed
In early postmenopausal women doing 24 weeks of strength training, those given a protein and calcium supplement after sessions gained more muscle mass, strength and femoral neck bone density than placebo.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 weeks · 2008Early postmenopausalCited 87 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did periodized high intensity resistance and impact exercise for a year, and spine bone density was maintained versus a significant decline in the non-exercise control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 128 women · 52 weeks · 2010Early postmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing simplified Tai Chi resistance training or traditional Tai Chi for 12 months maintained lumbar bone density, while a non-exercising control group lost bone density.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 119 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 26 timesPubMed
A review of five studies found strength training increased or maintained lumbar spine bone density, and often femoral neck density, in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2020PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing a year of weight-bearing and resistance exercise showed modest site-specific bone density gains, with combined exercise and hormone therapy producing greater gains than either alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 90 women · 52 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
A review of 39 studies with 3349 peri and postmenopausal women found high-intensity resistance and impact training programs were reported with moderate to good quality, but progression details were often incomplete.
Direction not statedSystematic review · 3,349 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
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
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
Older postmenopausal breast cancer survivors did impact plus resistance training versus stretching, and younger women in the exercise group showed more hip bone density benefit than older women.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 106 women · 2012PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 9 months of resistance training or stretching with ibuprofen or placebo; exercise did not change bone density but increased strength and reduced body fat versus stretching.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 90 women · 36 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who trained psoas muscles for one year lost less lumbar bone density than those who trained deltoid muscles instead.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 67 women · 52 weeks · 1993PostmenopausalCited 40 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women not using hormone therapy did strength training three times a week for 24 weeks and showed less bone loss at the spine and femoral neck than untrained women.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 65 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 34 studies in postmenopausal women found strength training improved body composition, muscle strength and bone density, while added protein gave no extra strength benefit.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 1,541 participants pooled · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
In postmenopausal women on osteoporosis medication, 13 months of resistance training three times weekly improved bone density, leg strength and quality of life more than training twice weekly or no training.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 56 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did a 12 month periodized bone and endurance exercise program and showed less lumbar spine bone loss than a low-intensity wellness control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 85 women · 52 weeks · 2013Early postmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Active women aged 56 to 75 did 6 months of low-load high-repetition resistance training (BodyPump), which reduced lumbar spine bone loss and increased strength compared to controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 24 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 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
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of high-intensity resistance and impact training, which did not cause vertebral fractures and improved thoracic kyphosis versus a low-intensity home program.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 32 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 43 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with low bone mass, 8 months of high-intensity resistance and impact training improved hip bone density and strength measures more than low-intensity Pilates-based exercise.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 102 women · 32 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 9 months of resistance exercise plus either whole body vibration or balance training twice weekly, and bone density increased at the distal tibia in both groups.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 57 women · 39 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did a 1 year trunk resistance exercise program three times weekly, and researchers found no significant difference in bone density versus controls.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 49 women · 52 weeks · 1992PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
Osteopenic postmenopausal women took soy protein alone or with 12 weeks of resistance exercise 4 times weekly; the combined group showed greater gains in muscle strength and bone measures.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 60 women · 12 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 19 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
Overweight postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of resistance training with or without DHA supplementation, with training maintaining bone mineral content, increasing lean mass and strength, and improving glucose tolerance.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 16 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did resistance training or stretching for 9 months; resistance training preserved lower leg muscle density better than stretching, while ibuprofen with exercise reduced bone content at the wrist.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 90 women · 39 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 15 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
Retracted review of four studies found resistance training for 3 to 12 months had some beneficial but mostly non-significant effects on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Older postmenopausal women did 32 weeks of elastic band resistance training with or without seawater supplementation and researchers found resistance training, not the supplement, drove improved strength and lower body fat.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 93 women · 32 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of multimodal exercise wearing weighted vests, which reduced a bone resorption marker and improved ankle strength versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 16 women · 12 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with low bone mass, 12 months of weighted jogging and resistance exercise improved some hip bone strength measures similarly to risedronate, with neither clearly superior.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 276 women · 52 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 7 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.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 32 women · 6 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing Yi Jin Jing plus elastic band resistance exercise for six months showed increased bone mineral density across the body versus a control group that declined.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 26 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 10 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.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 65 women · 52 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
In 250 postmenopausal women, a 6 month wrist-stress exercise program increased cortical bone area and content at the forearm but decreased trabecular bone density compared to controls.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 234 women · 26 weeks · 1999PostmenopausalCited 110 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
Early postmenopausal osteopenic women did 16 years of supervised and home exercise, and the exercise group reported fewer fractures and less bone density loss than controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 105 women · 832 weeks · 2015Early postmenopausalCited 75 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did high-intensity resistance, weight-bearing and balance training twice weekly for 8 months and showed greater gains in lumbar spine bone density and muscle performance than a low-intensity group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 32 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women aged 65 to 76, a single bout of whole-body vibration altered a circulating microRNA linked to bone resorption, while resistance exercise did not change microRNA levels.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 10 women · 2022PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women who did high-resistance strength training and high-impact aerobics for 3 years maintained bone density at the spine and hip, unlike controls who lost bone.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 78 women · 156 weeks · 2006Early postmenopausalCited 85 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women doing 12 weeks of resistance training, adding L-carnitine supplementation changed some blood markers but did not change bone mineral density compared with placebo.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 27 women · 12 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
115 postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of high-intensity resistance and impact training or low-intensity Pilates, and pelvic floor related quality of life did not differ between groups.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 115 women · 32 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A 12 month trial in 49 elderly women found contrast and hypertrophy resistance training both increased whole body and lumbar spine bone density, with contrast training showing greatest gains versus declines in controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 49 women · 52 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with osteopenia, 24 weeks of high-intensity resistance training improved bone mineral density and content more than low-intensity training, which in turn outperformed controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 45 women · 24 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women, 8 weeks of Nordic walking with a resistance shock absorber improved femur strength index and shoulder muscle torque but did not change whole-body or spine bone density.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 25 women · 8 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did daily psoas muscle resistance exercises for 3 years, and researchers found less lumbar bone loss than in women who did not train.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 35 women · 156 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did weight training three times weekly for 9 months, and researchers reported lumbar spine bone density increased compared to non-exercising controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 26 women · 39 weeks · 1992Early postmenopausalCited 119 timesPubMed
Review of four studies found resistance training for 3 to 12 months had some beneficial but mostly non-significant effects on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women did weighted vest plus jumping exercise three times weekly for 5 years, maintaining hip bone density while non-exercising controls lost bone at the hip.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 18 women · 260 weeks · 2000PostmenopausalCited 86 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women with low bone density did a 14 month high-impact, strength and endurance program and had increased lumbar spine bone density, strength and fitness versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 100 women · 60 weeks · 2003Early postmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
Japanese postmenopausal women with sarcopenia did light-load power training twice weekly for 6 weeks and showed improved pelvis bone density and knee strength versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 15 women · 6 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteosarcopenia did 6 months of supervised resistance training plus nutrition support, improving muscle mass and grip strength more than home exercise, with no difference in bone density.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 34 women · 24 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A one-year weight training program added to dance exercise increased muscular strength in middle-aged women but did not significantly increase overall bone mineral density.
No difference foundControlled trial · 54 women · 52 weeks · 1991Midlife womenCited 39 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did strength training twice weekly for 6 months and showed no bone loss in the spine and femoral neck, unlike controls who lost significant bone density, while strength rose sharply.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 31 women · 26 weeks · 1996PostmenopausalCited 38 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
Postmenopausal women with low bone density did a 6 month strength training protocol and researchers found a small but significant increase in lumbar spine bone density versus no change in controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 29 women · 26 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did high impact aerobic, jumping and resistance exercise for 50 months, maintaining spine bone density and improving cholesterol, body fat and strength versus non-training controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 68 women · 217 weeks · 2007Early postmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed
A 12-month closed-kinetic-chain weight training program in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis did not significantly increase bone density versus baseline, but outperformed a non-exercising control group.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 59 women · 52 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis did 24 weeks of home leg exercises with or without vitamin D3 or E, and all groups improved in symptoms and strength with no added benefit from supplements.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 80 women · 24 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
In a trial of 40 peri and early postmenopausal women, 9 months of twice weekly heavy strength and impact training increased lean mass, muscle strength, leg power, and lumbar spine bone density versus a waitlist control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 39 weeks · 2026PerimenopausalPubMed
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.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 33 women · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Thirty postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 6 months of high-impact plus resistance exercise, which slowed regional bone density loss and improved estimated bone strength in parts of the spine versus controls.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 30 women · 26 weeks · 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 40 postmenopausal women, 24 weeks of walking and strength training combined with dieting increased muscle strength, while bone density and VO2max did not change.
No difference foundControlled trial · 40 women · 24 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis, 13 to 15 weeks of heavy strength training increased muscle strength in both groups and altered muscle gene expression linked to bone density.
Direction not statedControlled trial · 35 women · 15 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass who did 3 months of weight-bearing and resistance exercise showed increased bone formation markers, strength, and improved quality of life.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 33 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged around 62 did 16 weeks of resistance training, gaining 32 to 98% in strength, with bone mineral density unchanged and a small decrease in body weight.
No difference foundBefore-and-after study · 27 women · 16 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 39 timesPubMed
Among 30 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors entering an 18-month bone health program, 80% had abnormal baseline bone mineral density scores.
Reported a worseningBefore-and-after study · 30 women · 78 weeks · 2001PostmenopausalCited 31 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.
Mixed resultsControlled 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.
Mixed resultsBefore-and-after study · 21 women · 52 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did systematic strength training for 6 months lost far less bone density in the hip and spine than a non-exercising control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 31 women · 26 weeks · 1993PostmenopausalCited 2 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
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
A review reported that in postmenopausal women, high-impact and resistance exercise only mildly increased or maintained bone density, while swimming showed no effect.
Mixed resultsOther · 2009PostmenopausalCited 238 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
A case study of a 71-year-old woman who began resistance training at 63 reported greater muscle mass, strength, bone density and fitness than age-matched postmenopausal controls.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 1 women · 2024PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
A review reported that high-intensity resistance training increased strength and muscle size in sedentary postmenopausal and frail elderly women, including nursing home residents.
Reported an improvementOther · 100 women · 1995Midlife womenCited 64 timesPubMed
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
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
A review reported that postmenopausal women taking high dose creatine may gain skeletal muscle size and function, with favorable bone effects when combined with resistance training.
Reported an improvementOther · 2021PostmenopausalCited 62 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
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.
Mixed resultsBefore-and-after study · 3 women · 40 weeks · 2002PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
A review reported that resistance training programs in older adults produced modest bone mineral density gains of about 1 to 3 percent per year in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementOther · 2006PostmenopausalCited 58 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
In 10 postmenopausal women with osteopenia, 6 months of combined high-impact and resistance exercise was linked to maintained spine bone density, correlating with greater spinal loading from the exercises.
No difference foundBefore-and-after study · 10 women · 26 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
Obese postmenopausal women did 8 months of whole body vibration or resistance training, with both groups showing higher bone density at the hip and spine and improved BMI and waist to hip ratio.
Reported an improvementOther · 80 women · 35 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 16 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
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
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
This review reported that resistance training produced beneficial effects on muscle, bone and adipose tissue, improving quality of life in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementOther · 2010PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
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 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 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 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
A review discussed resistance exercise as a potential way to protect bone and muscle in postmenopausal women with type 1 diabetes, noting no studies yet exist in this specific population.
Direction not statedOther · 2021PostmenopausalCited 7 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 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 narrative review reported that weight-bearing and resistance physical activity is linked to greater bone density, while replacing sedentary time with light activity benefits bone health in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementOther · 2025Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
A review reported that combining exercise training with estrogen replacement may increase bone mass more than exercise alone in postmenopausal women, though human trials with other compounds are lacking.
Mixed resultsOther · 2004PostmenopausalCited 6 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 narrative review reported that resistance training and weight-bearing activities like running or walking increased bone mineral density in young people and slowed bone density decline in postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementOther · 1995PostmenopausalCited 4 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
Twelve postmenopausal women performed hip resistance exercises at varying intensities, and researchers found high-intensity hip abduction and extension produced bone strains exceeding osteogenic thresholds.
Reported an improvementOther · 12 women · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A 55-year-old postmenopausal breast cancer survivor following a supervised resistance, aerobic and balance program with diet and supplements for 16 months saw bone density rise at the spine and hip.
Reported an improvementOther · 1 women · 70 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
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