Results of a 10 week community based strength and balance training programme to reduce fall risk factors: a randomised controlled trial in 65-75 yearold women with osteoporosis

Objective-To test the efficacy of a community based 10 week exercise interv ention to reduce fall risk factors in women with osteoporosis. Methods-Static balance was measured by computerised dynamic posturography ( Equitest), dynamic balance by timed figure of eight run, and knee extension strength by dynamometry. Subjects were randomised to exercise intervention (twice weekly Osteofit classes for 10 weeks) or control groups. Results-The outcome in 79 participants (39 exercise, 40 control) who were a vailable for measurement 10 weeks after baseline measurement is reported. A fter confounding factors had been controlled for, the exercise group did no t make significant gains compared with their control counterparts, although there were consistent trends toward greater improvement in all three prima ry outcome measures. Relative to the change in control subjects, the exerci se group improved by 2.3% in static balance, 1.9% in dynamic balance, and 1 3.9% in knee extension strength. Conclusions-A 10 week community based physical activity intervention did no t significantly reduce fall risk factors in women with osteoporosis. Howeve r, trends toward improvement in key independent risk factors for falling su ggest that a study with greater power may show that these variables can be improved to a level that reaches statistical significance.