Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Bone Health in Hong Kong Older Women

Launched by HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY · Mar 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a special type of exercise called High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on bone health in older women living in Hong Kong who have a condition known as osteopenia. Osteopenia means that bones are weaker than normal, which can lead to fractures and other serious health issues. The goal of the study is to see if doing HIIT over 24 weeks can improve bone strength and overall health in these women.

To participate, women must be between 60 and 74 years old and have been diagnosed with osteopenia through a specific bone scan. They should also be able to perform moderate exercise safely, without any significant health issues that would stop them from completing high-intensity workouts. Participants will be expected to attend training sessions and follow the program for half a year. This study is important because it will help provide more information on how exercise can benefit older women with lower bone density, potentially leading to better health and quality of life.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • 60 to 74 years at the start date of the project
• • diagnosed with osteopenia by DXA scan screening with a BMD at the femoral neck or total hip or lumbar spine between -1 and -2.5 SD T-score below the average values
• • Passing the PAR-Q plus screening or with the physician's approval for readiness to participate in high-intensity exercise
• • Above the average level of 2-mins stepping showing competent aerobic fitness
• • No restriction on physical mobility
• • No cognitive impairment, as determined by the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (i.e., score \< 24)
• • No previous substantial experiences in practicing HIIT. The written informed consent form will be collected from each participant
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Severe chronic disease restricting high-intensity exercise
• • Having cognition impairment regarded by specialists
• • checked through medical records at HA Go app platform in the past 6 months, have concurrent medical conditions (e.g., thyrotoxicosis or hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, renal disease, diabetes, knee or hip osteoarthritis) and use medications (e.g., corticosteroids, estrogen, thyroxine, thiazide diuretics, or antiretroviral agents) known to affect bone metabolism during past 2 years
• • any condition with osteoporosis, osteoporotic fractures
• • current smoker
• • alcohol 3 or more units per day.