PURPOSE The LIFTMOR (Lifting Intervention For Training Muscle and Osteoporosis Rehabilitation) for Men trial was designed to compare the effects of 2 novel bone-targeted exercise programs on risk factors for falls and fracture in men with low bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS LIFTMOR for Men is a 3-arm, 8-month, semi-randomised, intervention trial. Men ≥50 years of age with low BMD, screened for conditions and medications known to affect bone, were recruited. Eligible participants were randomised to 2/week, supervised high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) or bioDensity (bD) machine-based isometric exercise. Intervention responses are compared with those of a self-selected, non-randomised control (CON) sample of age-matched men following their habitual lifestyles. Outcomes at baseline and follow-up include: anthropometry; DXA-derived lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD; physical function (back extensor strength [BES], lower extremity strength [LES], timed-up-and-go [TUG], and 5-times sit-to-stand [STS]); and safety and compliance. Per-protocol analyses of preliminary outcomes were conducted using repeated measures ANCOVA, controlling for age, calcium consumption, prior physical activity, and initial values for BMD [adjusted mean change ± SE and adjusted p values are presented].

RESULTS 93 men (67.1±7.5yr; 82.1±11.6kg; 175.2±6.7cm) with low BMD (FN T-score -1.6±0.6) were recruited, and designated CON (n=26) or randomly assigned to HiRIT (n=34) or bD (n=33). To date, 67 have completed the study and are included in these preliminary findings (21 CON; 24 HiRIT; 22 bD). Compliance is 75.6±17.9% for HiRIT and 81.1±12.1% for bD (NS). Between-group differences have appeared in several outcome measures but only the improvement in LS BMD (HiRIT 0.049±0.01g/cm2 vs CON 0.013±0.01g/cm2; p=0.01) and STS (HiRIT 1.6±0.3s vs bD 0.8±0.3s; p=0.01) have reached significance. Within-group improvements have been observed for LS and FN BMD in both HiRIT and bD, all functional outcomes for HiRIT (all p<0.05), and in LES, TUG, and STS for bD (all p<0.05). There have been no adverse events.

CONCLUSION Although preliminary, findings suggest that both novel bone-targeted exercise programs improved BMD and physical function in older men with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Data collection is ongoing.