Introduction: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are skeletal diseases characterized by low bone density and loss of bone tissue, which increases fragility and the likelihood of bone fracture. Exercise can have a positive effect on increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and reducing the risk of falls. However, there is still uncertainty about which type of exercise is the most effective and what effect increasing exercise volume and intensity may have. Purpose: The aim of this diploma work is to determine the effects of high-intensity exercise on bone density in patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, based on a review of scientific literature. Methods: To conduct a comprehensive search, the PubMed database was utilized to retrieve relevant literature. Studies were selected if they met the following inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2024, full–text availability, studies with patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, and studies which observed the effects of high-intensity exercise on bone density and did not include injured participants. Results: Nine studies were included in the literature review. The exercise types used in the studies were weight-bearing and resistance training in seven cases, group-based aerobic exercises in one case, and high-impact exercise in one case. In five studies, there was a significant improvement in bone density, while four studies had insignificant improvements or preservations of bone density. Discussion and conclusion: The results of the reviewed trials showed the effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on bone density in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. In future research, we recommend including a larger number of subjects, a longer intervention period, adding intermediate testing, using appropriate workout intensity, and comparing different types of exercises.
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