FORTIFY Bones Trial
We are currently recruiting for one of our studies, named FORTIFY Bones.
We lose bone and muscle as we age. Exercise helps keep people healthy and independent as they age. However, we don’t know what types of exercise best prevent bone loss in people with osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density. We also don’t know what intensity of exercise is best. In this study, we will compare three different types of exercise to help inform exercise recommendations for people with osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.
For this study, we are looking for men and postmenopausal women who:
- Are aged 50 or over
- Have received two vaccines for COVID-19
- Have low bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis
- Are willing to participate in twice weekly exercise sessions for 12 months
As part of this study, you will participate in two weekly exercise sessions, or perform twice weekly exercises at home with twice monthly zoom sessions. You don’t get to choose which one – you are randomly allocated to in-person or home exercise. The in-person sessions will be at: Toby Jenkins Applied Health Research Building at the University of Waterloo for people near Waterloo, Kinnected Chain (250 Don Park Rd) for people in Markham, or University of Saskatchewan for people in Saskatoon. In addition, we would ask you to come in for three study visits. These would happen when you join the study, after 6 months in the study, and at the end of the study. At these visits, we would ask you to:
- Fill out questionnaires about your background, medical history, and quality of life
- Complete physical performance assessments
- Monthly fall log
- Provide blood samples (only at the beginning of the study and after 6 months, and only at the University of Waterloo site)
- Complete bone mineral density scans (only at the beginning and end of the study)
If you express interest in participating in this trial, you will be asked questions about:
- Your medical history
- Your medication use
- Your current exercise habits
If you are interested in finding out more about this study, please contact us at:
University of Waterloo site: boneslab@uwaterloo.ca
519-904-0660, ext. 4222
Markham/University of Toronto site: linda.dorado@uhnresearch.ca
416-340-4800, ext. 5718
University of Saskatchewan site: usask.fortify@usask.ca
306-966-1305
Thank you for your interest in our work!
This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board.