Physical Exercise for Secondary Osteoporosis

Bone loss caused by an underlying medical illness or associated treatment is often termed secondary osteoporosis and is a growing concern for a variety of patients. Exercise has demonstrated efficacy in maintaining bone health for individuals with age-related osteoporosis and its application to other clinical populations with specific interest in preserving bones is being increasingly explored. While there are many causes of secondary osteoporosis, only a few clinical populations have been studied for the role of exercise as a non-pharmacologic approach to bone preservation. This article briefly reviews secondary osteoporosis and the effect of exercise on bone health, while highlighting the current exercise intervention literature on bone outcomes for several clinical populations.