Introduction: Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that causes bone fragility. People with osteoporosis are more susceptible to bone fracture, particularly in the hip, upper arm, wrist, and vertebrae. Regular physical exercise is an important preventive measure for forestalling osteoporosis or osteoporotic fracture as it reduces the loss of bone mass and at the same time improves muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which reduces the number of falls and fractures. Resistance training programs can improve bone structure, increase bone formation in places of mechanical stress, and maintain mineral bone density in postmenopausal women. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work was to perform a literature review to determine how resistance training impacts the improvement of bone mass in postmenopausal women. Methods: To find the literature, we searched the PubMed, PEDro, Science Direct, Cinahl, and COBISS+ databases in the English language. We used the following keywords: postmenopause, postmenopausal women, menopause resistance training, bone mass. Results: Five studies were included in the literature review. In all the selected studies, double energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to obtain data on mineral bone density. All the studies concluded that resistance training improves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. A study in which high-intensity exercises (< 80-85% one maximal repetition) were performed proved to be the most efficient, but it comes with a warning that such methods of exercise must be performed in a controlled environment due to the risk of adverse events. In two studies, the muscle strength of the lower extremity muscles (quadriceps, posterior thigh muscles, and middle buttock muscles) and torso muscles (chest muscle and large muscle of the back) had improved. One study determined an improvement of the functional capability of the body and its neuromuscular capacity. Discussion and conclusion: Results show that resistance training has proven to be an impactful way of retaining bone mineral density in postmenopausal women as it improves the bone structure and increases bone formation in places where exercise may cause mechanical stress. Exercise has also proven beneficial for reducing fall occurrence and improving balance, muscle strength and functionality, and neuromuscular capacity. The quality of life of the examinees has also improved.
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