Introduction/Purpose.

The increased risk of fractures with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is suggested to be caused by decreased bone turnover. Current international guidelines recommend lifestyle modifications, including exercise, as first-line treatment for T2D. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise-based lifestyle intervention on bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in persons with T2D.

METHODS: Persons with T2D were randomized to either a 12-months lifestyle intervention (n = 64) or standard care (n = 34). The lifestyle intervention included five to six weekly aerobic training sessions, half of them combined with resistance training. Serum markers of bone turnover (osteocalcin (OC), N-terminal propeptide of type-I procollagen (PINP), reflecting bone formation, and carboxyterminal collagen I crosslinks (CTX-I), reflecting bone resorption) and BMD (by DXA) were measured before the intervention and at follow-up.

RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up, s-PINP increased by 34 % (95 % CI: 17 - 50 %), s-CTX-I by 36 % (95 % CI: 1 - 71 %), and s-OC by 31 % (95 % CI: 11 - 51 %) more in the lifestyle intervention group compared with standard care. Loss of weight and fat mass were the strongest mediators of the increased bone turnover. BMD was unaffected by the intervention ([INCREMENT] BMD: 0.1 %, 95 % CI: -1.1 to 1.2 %).

CONCLUSIONS: A 12-months intensive exercise-based lifestyle intervention led to a substantial but balanced increase in bone turnover in persons with T2D. The increased bone turnover combined with a preserved BMD, despite a considerable weight loss, is likely to reflect improved bone health and warrants further studies addressing the impact of exercise on risk of fractures in persons with T2D.