Early Circulatory and Red Blood Cell Aggregation Changes During a Short‐Term Bone‐Specific Exercise Program in Community‐Dwelling Older Women: An Exploratory Pilot Study
Shiho Kurosaka, Nanoko Fujioka, Seiya Toyoshima, Takuma YanaokaABSTRACT
Background
Exercise is an established nonpharmacological strategy for maintaining bone health. However, the early responses to short‐term low‐frequency bone‐specific exercise remain poorly characterized. This single‐arm pilot study examined whether peripheral circulatory and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation‐related changes occur before changes in calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) indices become detectable.
Methods
Twenty‐four community‐dwelling older women completed a 6‐week, once‐weekly bone‐specific exercise program. Calcaneal speed of sound was assessed by QUS. Peripheral blood flow parameters (velocity, flow volume, and mass) were measured at the anterior lower leg using a laser tissue blood flow meter. RBC aggregation was evaluated by dark‐field microscopy and graded on a 6‐level scale.
Results
Speed of sound did not change significantly ( p = 0.131), whereas velocity ( p = 0.050), flow volume ( p = 0.003), mass ( p = 0.001), and RBC aggregation score ( p < 0.001) significantly improved.
Conclusions
The present findings indicate that peripheral circulatory and RBC changes may precede detectable calcaneal QUS changes.