A systematic review including 8 studies with a total of 225 subjects was abstracted in DARE. When the bone mineral density (BMD) sites assessed were specific to the sites loaded during exercise, increases of around 2.6% were found: 2.1% in the exercisers and 0.5% in the controls. These results were statistically significant (ES=0.213, 95% CI: 0.007 to 0.452). Statistically-significant ES changes were found for men older than 31 years (ES=0.605, 95% CI: 0.324 to 1.032), but not for younger (less than 31 years) men.
A number of secondary outcomes (e.g. body weight, body mass index, lean body mass) were also examined, but no statistical differences were observed.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by inconsistency (heterogeneity in results in different populations).