To eatablish a therapy for senile osteoporosis without drugs, we examined the relationship between physical abilities and bone mineral densities (BMDs) in old people. Those who lived in the nursing home, 69 men (76.3 ± 5.9 yrs, mean ± S. D.) and 91 women (77.9 ± 6.2 yrs), had measurements of mean BMD of L2-L4 vertebrae and femora by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry as well as BMD of radii by single photon absorptiometry. In addition, we examined their muscular strength of extremities, abdominal muscular strength, flexibility of spine, balance, and counts of daily strides. Paired-t test was used in the statistical evaluation of longitudinal changes in cases for one year.
　We found that bone density, in women was generally significantly higher in those who excelled in flexibility of spine, muscular strength and walking. Their grip strength were significantly reduced in a year. Low-walking women had a tendency to lose their BMD of femora over a year compared with high-walking group. On the contrary, there was no significant correlation between BMDs and physical abilities in men, except for the correlation between grade of walking and BMD of femora. We could not find significant changes in BMD and physical abilities in men after one year. New compression fractures of vertebral bodies frequently happened on the group of higher BMD of vertebrae at the beginning.
　These results suggest that physical training may have the therapeutic effect for senile osteoporosis.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.14/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE