Osteoporosis exercise program at a glance
Exercise is one of the three recommended steps to prevent and treat osteoporosis, along with hormone replacement therapy and a diet high in calcium. To help you design and implement an exercise program at your center, here’s a breakdown of the osteoporosis program at Lake Hospital System in Willoughby, OH, which meets twice a week for eight weeks:
Week 1
• Introduce class to the schedule, time, location, and general rules.
• Emphasize that this is just the beginning of treatment.
• Discuss goals: to maintain and preserve bone density; prevent fractures and minimize orthopedic injury; reduce risk of falling; and maintain coordination and balance.
• Teach proper stretching techniques.
• Teach proper body mechanisms.
• Stress neutral erect spine at all times.
• Discuss principles of bone loading and increased bone strengthening.
• Discuss principles of exercise for the osteoporosis patient.
• Prevent torsion and flexion movements of the spine by showing proper carrying and holding techniques and stressing the avoidance of heavy lifting and twisting activities (such as raking, bowling, golf, or shoveling).
• Prevent falls by teaching class to: keep their homes safe, with items conveniently located to avoid overreaching; use a sturdy step stool, nonskid carpeting, and bathroom handrails; and get an eye exam yearly.
• Familiarize patients with exercise equipment and how to calculate their pulse rates.
• Remind patients to maintain diet summaries, which will be due in the third week.
Week 2
• Review all information from the first week.
• Introduce any new equipment.
• Introduce Theraband exercise therapy.
• Remind patient that diet summaries will be due in the third week.
• Stress the need to plan exercise after completion of the program.
Week 3
• Begin discussing pathophysiology and medications.
• Review lecture material and answer questions.
• Progress with exercise as indicated and reviewed by exercise physiologist.
• Plan and individualize home exercise program.
• Exercise physiologist will introduce weight training and upper body strengthening.
• Obtain diet summaries and give to dietitian.
Week 4
• Lecture on the principles of exercise.
• Review all principles taught to date for body mechanics and safety.
• Continue exercise and keep individual variances in mind.
• Assist with pulse-taking as needed.
• Stress the need to plan for exercise after completion of the program.
• Exercise as progress dictates.
Week 5
• Lecture on diet and answer any questions.
• Dietitian will review each individual diet summary with the patient.
• Exercise as progress dictates.
Week 6
• Lecture on diet and review the principles of calcium supplementation.
• Update home exercise prescription.
• Ask the patient how she has planned for exercise after completing the program.
• Exercise as progress dictates.
Week 7
• Review any questions.
• Arrange for additional time with dietitian if any patient requires it.
• Finalize home exercise program and discuss with exercise physiologist.
• Exercise as progress dictates.
Week 8
• Give patients three post-tests, plus evaluation forms to be returned at the last class.
• Review home exercise plan.
• Obtain post-tests and evaluations from patients.
• Review all questions.
• Give patients their completion certificate.
(Editor’s note: This information was reprinted with permission from Lake Hospital System in Willoughby, OH.)
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