We studied the effects of moderate physical activity on bone mass in healthy postmenopausal women as assessed by quantitative bone ultrasound. We enrolled a total of 326 postmenopausal women (60.95 ± 8.51 years old and 13.02 ± 9.52 years since menopause) and categorized them by weekly physical activity in their leisure time (sedentary, moderate, and active). We administered a questionnaire on general health and diet and measured bone density by ultrasound on phalanges II-V in the nondominant hand. We found no significant difference in the amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS; p > .05) between sedentary and active women. We concluded that the changes induced by moderate physical activity on bone mass are minimal in healthy postmenopausal women.
Keywords: bone density; bone mass; bone ultrasound; physical activity; postmenopausal.