The effects of physical exercise on body fat distribution and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Objective: The present cross-sectional study investigated the effects of physical exercise on body fat distribution and bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: Subjects were 57 postmenopausal women (mean age, 60.5±6.4 years) who had exercised regularly for at least 2 years. Controls were 130 age-matched sedentary women. Age, years since menopause (YSM), height, weight, and body mass index (BMI, wt./ht. 2) were recorded. Total fat mass, percentage of body fat, trunk fat mass, leg fat mass, the ratio of trunk fat mass to leg fat mass (trunk–leg fat ratio), total body lean mass, percentage of body lean, and lumbar spine BMD (L2–L4) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Baseline characteristics and leg fat mass did not differ between the two groups. Total fat mass, percentage of body fat, trunk fat mass, and trunk–leg fat ratio were lower ( P