Exercise for people with osteoporosis

Encourage people with osteoporosis to exercise by explaining that it can:

- build muscle strength and endurance

- improve balance and stability

- increase mobility and quality of life

- prevent falls.1 

Check that people have an adequate calcium and vitamin D status; this is necessary for the achieving maximal benefits from exercise. 

Explain that regular low-impact weight-bearing exercise combined with high-intensity strength (resistance) training conserves bone mineral density. 2,3 

However, there is no clear evidence for a direct effect of exercise in preventing fractures. 

Strength and balance training – alone or as part of a multifaceted falls prevention program – reduces falls risk. 4,5 

A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can create a program specific to the person’s needs, abilities and interests. 6