Research has shown that resistive exercise in strength training increases strength in the extensor lumbar muscles and reduces the incidence of vertebral fractures (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). This demonstrates that resistive strength training prevents the loss of bone mass, maintains bone mass, improves balance and reduces the likelihood of falls (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010). Strength training exercise that is high impact and intense can reduce back pain and improve bone mineral density in the hips and spine for women in their early post-menopausal years that are at high risk of developing osteoporosis (Lirani-Galvao & Lazaretti-Castro, 2010).

However, other types of exercise have been shown to potentially more effective than strength training for the maintenance of bone mineral density in post-menopausal women. Stengel et al. (2005) investigated the difference between strength training and power training in their effectiveness as interventions for the maintenance of bone mineral density in post-menopausal women. These...
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