PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OSTEOPOROSIS : A ROLE OF PREVENTION IN ELDERLY POPULATION?

Osteoporosis (OP) is a progressive systemic disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architecture deterioration of the bone tissue, with a consequent increase of bone fragility and risk fracture 1,2. OP is also considered like a common metabolic disease in the elderly and is closely associated with patient age. Its main signs are overall bone tissue density loss and structural fiber changes. OP  incidence increases significantly with advancing age 3 and is usually silent without any signs and symptoms of de-creasing bone density. Bone fracture often occurs as the first presentation of osteoporosis 4 . Significant morbidity, cost and reduced quality of life have been attributed to osteoporosis . There are non modifiable and preventable (modifiable) risk factors for OP. Non modifiable risk factors include age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and menopause which are not preventable. The preventable risk factors include calcium intake, exposure to sunlight, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, underlying disease condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune disorders, steroids intake, hormone replacement therapy, e Preventive strategies are a crucial first step to over-coming this global problem. OP itself is asymptomatic, and often remains undiagnosed until a fragility fracture occurs in the most part of elderly patients population.