Contribution of Recreational Exercises to Balance and Muscle Strength in Osteoporosis Risk

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of recreational exercises such as Pilates, swimming and walking on muscle strength and balance in women at risk of osteoporosis.

Study hypotheses:

H1: Pilates exercises will be more effective than walking exercises in improving muscle strength among women at risk of osteoporosis.

H2: Swimming exercises will be more effective than walking exercises in improving muscle strength among women at risk of osteoporosis.

H3: Pilates exercises will be more effective than walking exercises in improving balance among women at risk of osteoporosis.

H4: Swimming exercises will be more effective than walking exercises in improving balance among women at risk of osteoporosis.

H5: Pilates and swimming exercises will have similar effects on improving muscle strength and balance among women at risk of osteoporosis.

Conditions

• Osteoporosis (Senile)

Interventions

OTHER

Experimental Group 1

Sixty women aged 40-60 years with a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 were randomly assigned to three groups (Pilates, Swimming, Walking; n=20). Participants exercised for 40-45 minutes three days a week for 12 weeks.All exercises in this group were conducted by a certified Pilates instructor. Pilates exercises were performed on a mat.Session Content: Warm-Up (10 min): Breathing exercises, shoulder rotation, neck stretch, posterior pelvic tilt, and spinal mobilization exercises were performed. Main Section (30 min): Weeks 1-4: Basic movements - Hundred, Roll-Up, Single Leg Stretch, Spine Stretch Weeks 5-8: Intermediate variations - Double Leg Stretch, Rolling Like a Ball, Saw Weeks 9-12: Advanced balance-focused movements - Teaser Prep, Side Kick Series, Swimming, Leg Pull Front Cool-Down (5 min): Deep breathing exercises, hamstring stretching, and spinal Participation rates were regularly recorded, and individuals who participated below 80% of the program were excluded from the analysis.

OTHER

Experimental Group 2

Participants in the swimming group completed moderate-intensity swimming exercises for 40 minutes, three days a week. The program consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of freestyle and backstroke swimming, and a 5-minute cool-down. Participants' heart rates were maintained between 60 and 70% of their maximum heart rate. Session content: Warm-up (5 min): Light swimming, in-water mobilization exercises Main Part (30 min): Weeks 1-4: Freestyle swimming with 25-50 m rest intervals Weeks 5-8: Alternating freestyle and backstroke swimming with 75-100 m rest intervals. Weeks 9-12: Continuous swimming sets (150-200 m) - technical development and endurance Cool down (5 min): Light swimming, stretching in the water Exercise intensity was monitored using the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Participation rates were regularly recorded, and individuals who participated below 80% of the program were excluded from the analysis.

OTHER

Experimental Group 3

Individuals in this group participated in brisk walking at 60-70% of their maximum heart rate for 45 minutes, three days a week. The program consisted of a 5-minute warm-up walk, a 35-minute brisk walk, and a 5-minute cool-down walk. A 45-minute walking program was designed three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). Terrace: Flat, safe walking track Intensity: 60-70% of maximum heart rate Session Contents: Warm-Up (5 min): Light walking, shoulder and hip mobilization Main Part (35 min): Weeks 1-4: 5-6 km/h brisk walking Weeks 5-8: 6-6.5 km/h brisk walking Weeks 9-12: 6.5-7 km/h brisk walking Cool-Down (5 min): Slow walking, calf, hamstring, and lower back stretching exercises.Exercise intensity was monitored in all groups using the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Participation rates were regularly recorded, and individuals who participated below 80% of the program were excluded from the analysis.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Suleyman Demirel University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• HULUSİ ALP, Professor · Suleyman Demirel University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-01

Primary Completion

2026-05-01

Completion

2026-05-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations