Effects of aerobic and resistance training on bone, muscle hypertrophy and inflammation in OVX mice

Objective: Bone loss is common with aging, particularly due to reduced sex hormones, as seen in menopause. While physical training is a known non-pharmacological therapy for osteopenia and sarcopenia, few studies compare resistance and aerobic protocols, especially with systemic inflammatory markers. This study evaluated the effects of aerobic and resistance training on physical performance, femoral trabecular bone quality (micro-computed tomography), serum inflammatory markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10) and gastrocnemius muscle area in ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. Method: Sixty-four c57bl/6 mice were divided into OVX and SHAM groups and subjected to sedentary, resistance (climbing) or aerobic (treadmill) protocols for 8 weeks. Results: Training reduced body mass (p < 0.001) in trained animals compared to sedentary. Bone quality was higher in trained groups versus sedentary. OVX increased TNF-alpha, but training did not alter it. IL-1 beta levels were higher in climbing than treadmill groups, and IL-6 increased with OVX and aerobic training (p < 0.001). IL-10 was elevated in the SHAM and climbing groups (p < 0.01). Gastrocnemius muscle area increased in both trained groups (p < 0.001) with no differences between modalities. Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance training improved bone quality and muscle area in OVX mice, with climbing training uniquely linked to increased IL-10 levels.