Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists

Exercise is essential in the management of osteoporosis but tends to be underutilised due to lack of knowledge and unfounded concerns about the risk of injury.

The optimal care of people with low bone mass, osteoporosis and/or increased risk of falling can and should include targeted exercise to help prevent osteoporotic fracture.

Osteogenic exercise is important throughout life – in youth to optimise peak bone mass and in adulthood to minimise loss. The following exercise recommendations have been developed targeting older adults as osteoporosis typically occurs in the later years.

Exercise Prescription to Support the Management of Osteoporosis

This new exercise statement was developed by an expert Working Group, Advisory Committee and a National Roundtable and is based on the latest research in the field. In light of the increased skeletal fragility of osteoporosis, it is recommended this exercise prescription be supervised by a clinical exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. Such expertise is required to assess comorbidities and exercise capacity in order to appropriately individualise the exercise prescription. Specificity and overload are required to improve bone mass and strength, and high challenge balance training is required to prevent falls.

The following statement includes:

• summary of the principles of osteogenic loading and fall prevention
• translation of those principles into clinical practice
• evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription, and special considerations
• links to several relevant resources for people with or at risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures.

Consumer Fact Sheets available explaining a range of medical conditions and how they impact bone health.