Frontline: Weak Bones & High-Intensity Exercise; Hormone Therapy Risks; Exercise & Breast Cancer

Women With Weak Bones Benefit From High-Intensity Exercise

If you’re hesitant to do certain types of exercise because you have low bone mass (osteopenia or osteoporosis), recent research findings may ease your mind. A study published Oct. 4, 2017 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research showed that women with low bone mass who did high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) suffered no adverse effects and saw several benefits. For the study, postmenopausal women with low bone mass (a T-score of -1.0 or lower on a DEXA scan) were divided into two groups. One group did 30 minutes of supervised high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) twice a week for eight months, while the other group did a low-intensity exercise program at home. The women who did HiRIT gained bone mineral density and scored higher on tests that measured various physical functions. If you have low bone mass, consult with your doctor or an exercise professional to find out which exercises can safely help you improve your bone health.

Timing Appears to Play a Key Role in Risks Linked to Hormone Therapy

The use of hormone therapy (HT) to treat postmenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats dropped dramatically after research in the early 2000s suggested that HT use was associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. However, research published Nov. 17, 2017 in the journal PLOS Medicine demonstrated no link between an increased risk of stroke and HT use if the HT began within five years of the onset of menopause. The researchers, who analyzed data from more than 88,000 women, did detect a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke (when blood vessels burst in the brain) among women who began HT later than five years after menopause, suggesting that the timing of HT plays a key role. To decide if HT is right for you, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Exercise Eases Side Effects From Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment

A small study suggests that women undergoing breast cancer treatment can counter some side effects of treatment, such as pain and fatigue, with exercise. All study participants were women receiving treatment for advanced breast cancer who were not exercising prior to the start of the study. One group of women participated in a one-hour exercise program twice a week for 12 weeks, while the other (control) group continued to receive normal care. At each session, the women did aerobic exercises, weight-bearing exercises, and arm rehabilitation exercises. The women who were exercising reported an average 21.4-point reduction in pain, compared to an average 2.6-point reduction for women in the control group. The women in the exercise group also reported less fatigue, improved emotional well-being, and were better able to carry out tasks of daily living. The researchers, who presented their findings in November 2017 at the International Consensus Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer, noted that larger studies are needed to confirm their findings and to explore whether some types of exercise confer greater benefits than others.

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