Abstract
A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the influence of instructions with exercise and nutrition on the bone mineral density (BMD) and physical fitness of middle-aged and elderly women for a year. Lumbar vertebrase BMD and physical fitness (strenght, flexibility, agility, balance and functional fitness) were examined before and the one-year period. Based on variation in BMD between the beginning and of the year, the subjects were divided into an increased group, an immutable group and a decreased group. The variation in BMD was correkated significatly with changes in weight and total intake of a calcium supplement. In the increased group, the calcium intake after the instruction period was significantly higher than that before the period, and there were no differences in the other two groups. No significant differences in the quantity of milk intake among the three groups were observed after the instruction period. The quantity of calcium supplement intake of the increased group was significantly greater than those of the other two groups. The isometric leg force and onset time of motor response included a significant improvement with all groups, and jumping reaction time was significantly advanced with the increased group and the immutable group. Functional fitness, except for a test of hand work with a peg board, showed significant improvements with all groups. These results suggested that the quantity of calcium supplement intake influenced lumbar vertebrae BMD.
