The effect of electrical stimulation and combined exercise interventions on serum cortisol levels and macroelement balance in relation to bone metabolism in older women with osteopenia

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sport Science, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

2 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

3 Department of Sport Sciencesو Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University. Tabriz. Iran

4 Department of Sport Sciences,,Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22077/jpsbs.2025.9160.1957

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study investigated the effects of combined exercise training with electrical stimulation (ECT) and combined training alone (CT) on serum levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and cortisol in older women with osteopenia. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 45 women with a mean age of 61.25 ± 1.4 years and osteopenia (T-score between -1 and -2.5) were randomly assigned to three equal groups: 1) ECT, 2) CT, and 3) control. The ECT and CT groups completed a combination of aerobic exercise (heart rate reserve 45-60%) and resistance training (three sets of 8-15 repetitions at 5 to 10 stations using body weight, a physioball and a yellow resistance band) three times a week for 90 minutes. The ECT group also received 15 minutes of functional electrical stimulation (FES) at a frequency of 45 Hz and a pulse duration of 300 microseconds, targeting the paraspinal muscles. The data were analyzed using a MIXED ANOVA test. Results: The results showed that the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus did not change significantly between the groups (p < 0.05). However, serum magnesium levels increased significantly in the ECT group compared to the control group (p = 0.012). In addition, cortisol levels decreased in both intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and a significant correlation was found between the decrease in cortisol and the increase in magnesium in the ECT group (p = 0.013, r = -0.666). Conclusions: These results suggest that functional electrical stimulation synergistically increases magnesium levels, with a reduction in serum cortisol contributing to this increase. Further research is needed to determine the optimal intensity, duration and type of interventions to maximize efficacy on calcium and phosphorus ions.

Keywords

Journal of Practical Studies of Biosciences in Sport

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 July 2025

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