Effects of Clinical Pilates and Whole Body Vibration Exercises in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women

Comparison of the Effects of Clinical Pilates and Whole Body Vibration Exercises on Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Bone Turnover Markers and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women

The aim is to compare the effects of clinical pilates and whole body vibration exercises in postmenopausal osteoporotic women on strength, flexibility, balance, bone turnover markers and quality of life.

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of clinical pilates and whole body vibration exercises in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in terms of strength, flexibility, balance, bone turnover markers and quality of life. Thirty-four women who are diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis will be recruited into the study. Participants will be divided into two groups: (1) clinical pilates group, (2) vibration exercises group. Exercise programs will be performed two times per week for twelve weeks. The strength of the extensor muscles of the hip, knee, back, elbow will be measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Flexibility will be assessed measuring the fingertip-to-floor distance in flexion and lateral bending. The balance performance will be assessed using the timed up and go test, Tetrax fall index and the maximum hold time on unipedal stance and on tandem stance. The short form-12 questionnaire will be used to assess the quality of life. Also, bone turnover markers will be measured. All assessments will be performed before and after exercise programs.

postmenopausal osteoporosis, clinical pilates, whole body vibration, bone turnover markers, strength, flexibility, balance, quality of life

Clinical pilates exercises will be performed progressively. The duration of each exercise session will be an average of 40 minutes initially and then will be increased to 60 minutes as the program progress.

Whole body vibration exercises will be performed using the Power Plate pro5 AIRdaptive machine.The duration of each exercise session will be an average of 20 minutes initially and then will be increased to 30 minutes as the program progress.

The strength of the extensor muscles of the hip, knee, back, elbow will be assessed with a hand-held dynamometer.

Flexibility wil be assessed measuring the fingertip-to-floor distance in flexion and lateral bending.

The short form-12 questionnaire will be used to assess quality of life. The total score can range from 0 to 100. Lower SF-12 score indicated poorer physical and mental health.

Plasma sclerostin concentration will be measured to assess the process of bone resorption and formation.

Inclusion Criteria: Being in the postmenopausal period Having body mass index equal to or greater than 18,5 kg/m² A lack of regular exercise Having been diagnosed with osteoporosis Having the ability to walk independently Exclusion Criteria: Having a cardiopulmonary problem that may prevent participating in exercise programs Having kidney stones Being diagnosed with diabetes Presence of epilepsy Having cardiological problems such as arrhythmia, using a pacemaker, hypertension Having neurological disorders such as Parkinson, stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy Having surgery in the last 6 months