Using exercise and medication to prevent bone loss during weight loss in older adults
Official title: Exercise and Bisphosphonate Use to Minimize Weight Loss Associated Bone Loss among Older Adults
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-10917084 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how combining exercise with a medication called bisphosphonate can help older adults who are losing weight keep their bones strong and healthy over a year-long program.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,492,636 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG074979-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917084 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are overweight or obese and are looking to lose weight while maintaining their bone health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have concerns about bone density loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exercise and bisphosphonate medication can work together to prevent bone loss in older adults who are trying to lose weight. The study will involve a 12-month trial where participants will engage in resistance training and bone-loading exercises, while some will also receive bisphosphonate treatment. The goal is to determine if this combination can effectively minimize bone density loss that often accompanies weight loss in older individuals. Participants will be monitored for changes in bone mineral density and overall health throughout the trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help older adults lose weight without the risk of losing bone density, reducing their chances of fractures and osteoporosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown positive effects of exercise on bone density in stable weight older adults, but this specific combination of exercise and bisphosphonates during weight loss has not been formally tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beavers, Kristen Marie — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Beavers, Kristen Marie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.