Researchers tested a new 10-minute weekly exercise program called OsteoStrong® designed to help older women with weak bones. Thirty-eight women with low bone density did this exercise once a week for 8 months. While the program was safe and women stuck with it well, the study found it didn’t actually improve bone density or strength. However, women did get slightly better at standing up from chairs and climbing stairs. This suggests that while OsteoStrong® is safe, it may not be the best choice for treating weak bones in postmenopausal women.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new exercise program called OsteoStrong® could help postmenopausal women build stronger bones and improve their physical abilities
  • Who participated: Forty-four postmenopausal women (average age 61 years) who had been diagnosed with low bone density. Thirty-eight completed the full 8-month study.
  • Key finding: After 8 months of doing OsteoStrong® once per week, women’s bone density did not improve. However, they did show small improvements in how quickly they could stand up from a chair and climb stairs.
  • What it means for you: If you have weak bones, this exercise program alone may not be enough to strengthen them. Talk to your doctor about other proven treatments for bone health. The good news is the program was safe and easy to stick with, so it could be part of a larger bone health plan.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test to see if a bigger study would be worth doing. Forty-four women with low bone density attended supervised OsteoStrong® sessions once a week for 8 months. Each session lasted 10-15 minutes and used special equipment to apply forces to specific parts of the body. The researchers measured bone density, bone structure, strength, and physical abilities before and after the program.

The study was straightforward: all participants did the same program, and researchers tracked what happened. This type of study is useful for checking if something is safe and if people will actually do it, but it doesn’t prove the program works better than other options because there was no comparison group doing something different.

The researchers used advanced scanning technology to measure bone density and structure in detail, not just basic bone density tests. They also tested how quickly women could stand up from chairs and climb stairs to measure real-world physical ability.

This research matters because many older women have weak bones and need effective treatments. OsteoStrong® is appealing because it only takes 10 minutes once a week, which is much easier than traditional exercise programs. However, we need to know if it actually works. This study helps answer that question by carefully measuring bone changes and safety.

Strengths: The study used advanced bone imaging technology (not just basic scans), had good adherence rates (women stuck with it), and carefully tracked safety. It was published in a respected bone research journal. Weaknesses: The study was small with only 44 women, had no comparison group to see if other treatments work better, lasted only 8 months (bones change slowly), and didn’t include women with very severe bone loss or other health conditions. The results may not apply to all postmenopausal women.

What the Results Show

The main finding was disappointing: bone density did not improve at the hip, thighbone, or lower spine after 8 months of OsteoStrong®. In fact, detailed measurements of bone structure at the wrist and ankle showed small decreases in bone density and changes in bone architecture. One measure of bone quality (trabecular bone score) also decreased slightly.

However, the program was very safe. Only two possible side effects were reported out of 44 women, and both were minor. Women also stuck with the program well—those who completed it attended about 93% of sessions on average.

The good news was that women showed small improvements in physical function. They got about 0.8 seconds faster at standing up from a chair and 0.1 seconds faster at climbing stairs. Their overall physical performance score improved slightly. These improvements suggest the program may help with everyday activities, even if it doesn’t strengthen bones.

Body composition (muscle and fat) did not change significantly. Most other measures of bone strength and structure showed no improvement. The small improvements in standing up and stair climbing were the only positive physical changes, though these improvements were modest in size.

Previous research on OsteoStrong® was very limited, which is why this study was needed. Other bone-strengthening exercise programs, particularly weight-bearing and resistance exercises, have shown better results for improving bone density in postmenopausal women. Traditional strength training and impact exercises (like walking or dancing) have stronger evidence for preventing bone loss. This study suggests OsteoStrong® may not be as effective as these established approaches for bone health specifically.

The study had several important limitations. First, it was small with only 44 women, so results may not apply to all postmenopausal women. Second, there was no comparison group—we don’t know if women would have done better, worse, or the same with a different program or no program. Third, 8 months may not be long enough to see bone changes, since bones adapt slowly. Fourth, the study only included women with low bone density but not the most severe cases. Finally, we don’t know if results would be different with longer duration or in different populations of women.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, OsteoStrong® alone is not recommended as a primary treatment for low bone density in postmenopausal women (low confidence). If you have weak bones, talk to your doctor about proven treatments like weight-bearing exercise, resistance training, or medication. OsteoStrong® may be safe to do as part of a broader bone health program, but it shouldn’t replace other treatments (moderate confidence). More research is needed before recommending this program for bone health.

This research is most relevant to postmenopausal women with low bone density who are looking for exercise options. It’s also important for doctors and physical therapists recommending bone health programs. Women with severe osteoporosis should definitely talk to their doctor before trying any new exercise program. This study doesn’t apply to men, younger women, or women with normal bone density.

This study lasted 8 months, which is relatively short for bone changes. Bones typically take 12-24 months to show significant changes from exercise. If you were to try this program, you shouldn’t expect to see bone density improvements in less than 6-12 months, and this study suggests it may not improve bone density at all.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly OsteoStrong® session completion (yes/no) and note any physical changes like how long it takes to stand from a chair or climb stairs. Measure these every 4 weeks using a stopwatch to see if small improvements occur like in this study.
  • If using an app to track bone health, add OsteoStrong® as one component of a multi-part program that also includes weight-bearing exercise (walking, dancing) and resistance training (weights or bands). Use the app to remind you of weekly sessions and track adherence, but don’t rely on it as your only bone health strategy.
  • Log weekly attendance, any discomfort or side effects, and monthly measurements of physical function (time to stand from chair, stairs climbed). Track this for at least 6 months to see if you experience the small improvements in physical function shown in this study. Schedule bone density scans with your doctor every 1-2 years to monitor actual bone health changes.

This study suggests OsteoStrong® does not significantly improve bone density in postmenopausal women with low bone density. This is a single pilot study and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. If you have been diagnosed with low bone density or osteoporosis, consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. This research is not a substitute for proven bone health treatments like medication, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and weight-bearing exercise. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your bone health treatment plan.