In summary, benefits from participation in a 2 year back
exercise course continued even 8 years after cessation. Even
though there was no apparent bone gain in the exercise subjects initially,
improvement of back strength could have reduced the risk of vertebral fractures later in life.
Thus, the finding supports the fact that other extraskeletal benefits are derived from exercise.
Because compliance is difficult to maintain,
20 perhaps consideration of periodic short-term courses of intensive exercise
would be more beneficial than long-term programs,
in terms of both compliance and maintenance of musculoskeletal health.
These prospective data provide good evidence to warrant further investigation of this topic.