The Importance of Exercise Habits for Preventing Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19-related activity restrictions on bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass in postmenopausal women undergoing treatment for osteoporosis. Patients who maintained regular clinic visits and continued pharmacological therapy were retrospectively analyzed. BMD and whole-body muscle mass were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, and changes were evaluated using the percentage of the young adult mean (%YAM). Exercise habits and dietary patterns were assessed using structured questionnaires. During the pandemic, approximately 40% of participants discontinued regular exercise. In contrast, dietary patterns and nutritional markers, including albumin and total protein, remained stable. Significant declines in %YAM were observed at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip, with greater reductions in the lumbar spine. Muscle mass also decreased significantly across all regions, with more pronounced reductions in the upper extremities. Changes in bone turnover markers suggested a shift toward a high-turnover state. Despite continued treatment and clinical follow-up, both bone and muscle parameters deteriorated during the pandemic. These findings indicate that reduced physical activity may adversely affect musculoskeletal health in patients with osteoporosis, even under appropriate pharmacological management. Strategies incorporating home-based exercise interventions may be essential to mitigate such effects during periods of restricted mobility.