engleski

Dynamometric measurement of handgrip in osteoporotic women

INTRODUCTION: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common, debilitating disease. The lifetime risk of a hip fracture in women is greater than the combined lifetime risks of breasts, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is also likely to become more common in the decades ahead as the life expectancy of the population increases. Early menopause, occurring either naturally, or because of surgery, increases the risk of the development of osteoporosis. In addition, various lifestyle factors are known to increase the risk of osteoporosis, including a life-long low calcium intake, smoking, over-use of alcohol, and the lack of exercise or chronic immobility. Osteoporosis that develops secondary to other pathologies, or to medications is considered to be postmenopausal in origin, although its severity is likely to increase after the menopause if appropriate measures are not taken. AIM: The aim was to compare handgrip strength, measured by hydraulic dynamometer in the same women, at two different intervals: at the beginning of exercise program and after six months of active exercise program. We also explored weather age and anthropometric parameters significantly predict the handgrip strength, prior to exercise and after six months of exercise. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research included women with diagnosed osteoporosis or osteopenia, mostly postmenopausal women (N=100). Examinees are active participants of the project „Exercising and proper nutrition in fight against osteoporosis”. Anthropometric parameters were measured twice: at the time when women were just enrolled in project and after six months of exercise. Handgrip strength was measured by hydraulic dynamometer, at the same two intervals as the measures for anthropometric parameters were done. RESULTS: We found that handgrip strength of the right hand was significantly higher in women, after six months of exercise, than it was prior to exercise (P=0.002). Hip circumference after six months of exercise(R=0.37, P=0.001) and body height at the beginning of exercise (R=0.34, P=0.005) were directly correlated to the handgrip strength of the right hand, while waist circumference at the beginning of exercise was indirectly proportional to the handgrip strength of the right hand (R=-0.25, P=0.04). The similar was observed when the handgrip strength of the left hand was analyzed, except for the variable hip circumference at the beginning of the exercise, which was inversely correlated to the handgrip strength of the left hand, after six months of exercise (R=-0.35, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Regular physical exercise is thought to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and delay the physiologic decrease of bone mineral density (BMD), which occurs with aging. With this investigation we have found that time period of six months of exercise significantly increases handgrip strength at the right hand, which suggests good muscle adoption to exercise, which is an important prerequisite for maintaining existing bone mass of our study participants.

postmenopausal osteoporosis ; women ; handgrip strength ; hydraulic dynamometer ; anthropometry ; exercise

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