Purpose: 

To determine the effect of a combined exercise program that focuses on both, fracture and CHD-risk.

Methods: 

The Senior-Fitness and Prevention-Study (SEFIP) is a 18-month randomized controlled exercise trial with 246 females of 65 years and older. The exercise group performed a vigorous endurance, strength and balance training two times/week while a low intensity/volume "wellness training" once per week for 4 x 10 weeks during the 18 months was dedicated to the control group. Both groups were supplemented with calcium and vitamin-D. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was measured by Dual-Energy-X-Ray-Absorptiometry (DXA) and Quantitative-Computer-Tomography (QCT), fall frequency and injuries were determined using standardized diaries and 10y-CHD-risk was analyzed by risk calculator.

Results: 

After 18 months 114 women completed the exercise group (EG), 118 subjects remained in the wellness control group (CG). BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) as assessed by DXA differed significantly (p<.001) between both groups (LS: EG: 1.8 %, p<.001 vs. WG: 0.3 %, n.s.; FN: 1.0 %, p=.055. vs. -1.1 %, p=.009). Overall fall frequency, as well as the number of injurious falls was significantly lower in the exercise compared with the control group (RR falls: 0.61, p=.001; RR injurious falls: 0.69, p=.02). 10y-CHD-risk according to Wilson was significantly reduced (p=.008) in the EG (-25 %) and slightly decreased in the CG (-4 %, n.s.).

Conclusion: 

Our results clearly demonstrate that dedicated exercise programs impact both, fracture and CHD-risk of the elderly people. Thus the implemen-tation of corresponding programs may be helpful to decrease health costs of the elderly.