LiftMor Study - resistance training's effect on bone mineral density in older women

[AndrewLewis]

Postmenopausal women specifically, but I made the title too long.

The LiftMor Study

8 month period, squat press deadlift, 5x5 except the deadlift, they also added some plyometrics essentially, n = 101, statistical and clinically significant improvement in BMD in the experimental group.

What do you guys think? Anyone see any big holes?

I think this is really exciting and about as close as we're going to get to a study of SS on BMD without one of us being personally involved.

[Martin Shenfield]

Well unfortunately this was done in Australia.

I actually just did a CEC course for older adults(insurance purpose). This was mentioned and is now the exercise guideline in Australia for people with osteoporosis. Only under supervision from an approved physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.

For other old people the government still recommends doing 1-2 sets of 10 reps at mild intensity because old people who are healthy can't lift what people with osteoporosis can apparently.

In other words, it doesn't really help anyone here and you guys over there don't need these results to prove what you already know.

[Mark Rippetoe]

You guys in Australia have a serious problem with the authorities.

[Martin Shenfield]

You guys in Australia have a serious problem with the authorities.

Our problem is we don't have a serious problem with the authorities when we should.

[Subby]

You guys in Australia have a serious problem with the authorities.

Early Australia history is actually pretty similar to American history, except for the fact that almost every venture into the interior failed. Imagine Roanoke over the whole country. Early australian history books don't specifically say it, but we've been one industry collapse away from essentially folding as a country for ever. Whether that be whaling, gold, sheep, mining or international education today.
This creates a very strong pull towards centralised authority and a very short memory.

[Mark Rippetoe]

That's an excellent excuse, I suppose.

[Mike Kelly]

Peter Atilla recently interviewed Belinda Beck (one of the people who conducted Liftmor) for about an an hour and a half. It's episode #322 of the Drive podcast. I know the 10 minutes he did about deadlifting about half a year ago was wrong and annoying but besides that transgression his show is informative and useful. Gives a background about bones, osteoporoses, and sarcopenia that is accessible to a layman. Good stuff about women and menopause. I agree with the comments here about the Australian government and supervision. The recommendations are not aggressive enough. However, her and Atilla make explicitly clear multiple times that the best way to get strong bones is by lifting weights. I have not heard anyone advocate for this prescription this forcefully outside of SS. It is worth a listen.

[Leo M]

I would think since this was only shown in one gym that everybody would need to go to that gym in order to be covered.

[Martin Shenfield]

I would think since this was only shown in one gym that everybody would need to go to that gym in order to be covered.

No. They used the study to sell their own program, the Onero method. Only a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can become a practitioner by paying and doing the course. Only their method is proven to help. Nothing else is scientifically proven.

Like I said. It means diddly squat. They still lift like crap but it's better than the alternatives which is why they are getting results. Better to just become an SSC. It's cheaper, works better and less government.

Also of note would be the requirement to have every jab under the sun in you to work as one of those disciplines in Australia in the first place.

I've got just as good a result with my mum and I'm not even a good coach. She tripped over her fireplace surround the other day, probably broke her toe. I credit training to the fact she did not fall over and break her hip but was able to regain her balance.

This study is a joke like all other studies. Paid for by the people setting up the method. It's not going to say they did a bad job.

[Jason Donaldson]

Like I said. It means diddly squat. They still lift like crap but it's better than the alternatives which is why they are getting results.

The novice effect is something of a blessing and a curse because of precisely this.

I've got just as good a result with my mum and I'm not even a good coach. She tripped over her fireplace surround the other day, probably broke her toe. I credit training to the fact she did not fall over and break her hip but was able to regain her balance.

Not that I'm glad she had that accident, mind you, but I still love how the good news keeps coming. I'll bet she'll heal up a lot faster than she would have before training, too. Once again, good for her, and good for you, too, Martin.