Back extensor training increases muscle strength in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, kyphosis and vertebral fractures

• We determined the efficacy of a back muscle extensor strengthening program on the back muscle extensor strength, kyphosis, height and thoracic expansion in women with at least one vertebral fracture, kyphosis and osteoporosis. Thirty-six patients were included and randomized to a control or a training group. The training focused on back muscle extensor strengthening program for 1 h, twice a week for 4 months and was performed by a physiotherapist. The main outcome measure was the back muscle extensor strength. In an intention-to-treat analysis no significant effects on back muscle strength in the training group vs. controls could be seen (p = 0.74). In a per-protocol analysis (n = 28), the training group increased back muscle strength from 290 ± 87 to 331 ± 89 N while the control group showed no improvement. After adjusting for the strength at baseline, a significant effect of training could be demonstrated (p = 0.029). When comparing the heights between the groups a significant group × time interaction was observed (p = 0.012) where the training women increased their mean height with 0.3 cm (p = 0.101) and controls decreased 0.44 cm (p = 0.045). The training group improved their thoracic expansion compared with baseline (p = 0.03). No effect of training on kyphosis was seen. In conclusion, a 4-months back extensor training program can improve back strength and seems to maintain height and thoracic expansion.

Keyword

Back extensor muscle training

kyphosis

postmenopausal osteoporosis

vertebral fracture

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)