Swimming-induced Influences on Bone Density in Middle-aged Women

Lee, Jae Koo; Choi, Moo Sub; Lee, Chung Geun; Ann, Eue Soo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in a postmenopausal women has affected by a long-term swimming exercise. Swimming exercised 9 female and non-exercised 13 female were involved in this study. All of them were accepted by selection criteria through a questionnaire and personal interviews. Experimental group performed regularly swimming exercise while over a 8 year, but control group never taken part in any activities periodically. Bone densities were measured at Lumbar 2-4 and Femur's 3 sites (neck, ward's triangle, and trochanter) with DEXA method (Lunar DPX). There are no significant differences between two groups on the ages, body weights, heights, % fats, and menopausal durations. Bone densities on the neck and ward's triangle of Femur were 1.7% and 2.7% higher in the control group than in the swimming group, not significant between two groups. In the case of Femur trochanter and Lumbar 2-4 sites, swimming group however were nonsignificantly higher 2% and 5.3% than control group, respectively. In conclusion, it was recognized that a long-term swimming exercise may be ineffective to intensify local density, stiffly lowering in a postmenopausal women.