HRT preserves increases in bone mineral density and reductions in body fat after a supervised exercise program

The aims of thisstudy were to confirm our previous finding that hormone-replacementtherapy (HRT) augments exercise-induced increases in bone mineraldensity (BMD) in older women and to determine whether HRT preserves theadaptations when exercise is reduced or discontinued. The studyincluded an 11-mo treatment phase and a 6-mo follow-up phase.Participants, aged 66 ± 3 yr, were assigned to control (Con;n = 10), exercise (Ex;n = 18), HRT(n = 10), and Ex+HRT(n = 16) groups. HRT was continuedduring the follow-up. After the treatment phase, changes in total body BMD were 0.5 ± 1.7, 1.5 ± 1.4, 1.2 ± 0.8, and 2.7 ± 1.2% in Con, Ex, HRT, and Ex+HRT, respectively. Ex+HRT was moreeffective than HRT in increasing BMD of the total body and tended(P = 0.08) to be more effective at thelumbar spine. Ex+HRT was more effective than Ex in increasing BMD ofthe total body, lumbar spine, and trochanter. Exercise-induced gains inBMD were preserved during the follow-up only in those individuals onHRT. HRT also attenuated fat accumulation, particularly in theabdominal region, after the exercise program. These findings suggestthat HRT is an important adjunct to exercise for the prevention notonly of osteoporosis but also of diseases related to abdominal obesity.