Effects of exercise on balance function in people with osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Xiaorui Huang, Kongwen Chen, Yexi Tang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled randomized controlled trials of exercise and balance function in people with osteoporosis. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Exercise was associated with improved balance compared with control conditions (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.22; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses suggested larger effects with some exercise schedules and in certain participant or outcome groups, but the authors characterize these differences as exploratory rather than evidence for an optimal prescription.
Key findings
- Across 13 studies, exercise improved balance function (SMD, 0.83; 95%CI, 0.45 to 1.22; p < 0.00001).
- Larger pooled effects were reported for exercise ≥ 3 times per week (SMD, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.68; p = 0.0006) and ≥ 60 min per session (SMD, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.75; p = 0.001).
- Exercise ≥ 180 min per week had a pooled SMD of 1.96 (95% CI, 0.42 to 3.50; p = 0.01), but subgroup differences were exploratory.
- Relatively larger effects appeared in studies using composite balance outcomes and those involving middle-aged participants.
Why it matters
Impaired balance in osteoporosis is linked to falls and fragility fractures, making balance a clinically relevant outcome of exercise interventions. The pooled improvement supports exercise as a potential means of improving balance, while the exploratory subgroup results highlight that the evidence does not yet establish which exercise dose or participant group benefits most.
What to keep in mind
The subgroup findings are exploratory and do not establish an optimal exercise prescription. The abstract also notes that long-term effects on clinically relevant outcomes require further study.