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Finding the Optimal Resistance Training Intensity For Your Bones: A Randomized Controlled Trial (FORTIFY Bones)

ClinicalTrials.gov · COMPLETED, 2026

324 participants

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can result in fractures, disability and an increased risk of premature death. Exercise is recommended for fall and fracture prevention, but health care professionals often recommend walking or lower intensity community exercise classes, which may not be effective for building bone. Further, individuals with osteoporosis are often told to avoid lifting or moving in certain ways, which creates fear and activity avoidance. Conversely, research suggests that to stimulate bone, you need higher loads on bone, with either higher intensity resistance training or impact exercise - the types of things people with low bone mass are told to avoid. Our study will examine different types of exercise intensity and how they translate to building bone in people with low bone mineral density (BMD).

Conditions: Osteoporosis, Osteopenia.

Primary outcome: Lumbar Spine bone mineral density (BMD).

Enrollment: 324 participants.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 324 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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