COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF WALKING AND BENCH-STEP EXERCISE ON OSTEOCALCIN AND CTX-1 IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OSTEOPENIA

ABSTRACT
Purpose: Bench-step exercise produces biomechanical movements beneficial to improve bone remodeling. However, no studies have confirmed the effects of bench-step exercise (BE) on bone formation
and resorption. The goal of this study is to compare the effects of bench-step and walking exercise
(WE) on changes in osteocalcin and CTX-1 levels. Methods: Fifty-nine sedentary post-menopausal
women with osteopenia (T-score between
1 and
2.5) were randomly divided into two groups: WE
group (n ¼ 29) and BE group (n ¼ 30). Subjects performed 12 weeks of exercise. The osteocalcin and
CTX-1 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Independent t-test or
Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the osteocalcin and CTX-1 levels. The difference in changes in the
osteocalcin and CTX-1 between the groups before and after was analyzed using Mann–Whitney test.
Results: The results showed a significant increase in the osteocalcin and CTX-1 levels in both groups
(P < 0:05). The increased levels of osteocalcin between groups were not statistically different
(P > 0:367). The increase in CTX-1 resulting from BE was lower than that from WE (P < 0:048).
Conclusion: This study indicates that BE may inhibit resorption stronger than WE.
Keywords: Bone formation; Bone resorption; Mechanical stimuli.