Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Department
OSTEOPOROSIS & BONE HEALTH REHABILITATION SCIENCES HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB
PROJECTS
Osteoporosis Education & Exercise
Investigators Susan Smith, PT, PhD – Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University
Jan Meiers, PT, DPT, GCS – Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University
Che-Hsiang (Elizabeth) Wang, PT, MS – PhD Student Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences,
Drexel University
Summary / Overview Osteoporosis is “a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone
tissue leading to bone fragility and an increasedsusceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine
and wrist, although any bone can be affected” (National Osteoporosis Foundation [NOF], 2009) The
NOF (2009) estimates that 44 million Americans have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. In 2005,
osteoporosis-related fractures cost an estimated $19 billion. An average of 24% of patients with hip
1 Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
fractures aged 50 and over die in the year following their fracture (NOF, 2009). Our overarching goal
is to prevent and reduce the risk of falls and fractures and to improve the quality of life for persons
with low bone mass or osteoporosis. Further, we expect to provide evidence to foster clinical use
optimal exercise strategies of persons with low bone mass or osteoporosis. Our projects are
methodological, descriptive, correlational and interventional. In addition to ongoing precision studies
of our tests and measures, our objectives are to: 1) characterize and describe physical performance
changes associated with age and bone loss; 2) determine the relationship of posture, muscle
performance, balance, gait speed, fitness and fear of falling in women with increased fall risk and
higher fracture risk; 3) validate use of the BESTest (Horak FB, Wrisley DM, Frank J., Phys Ther,
2009;89(5):484-498) with persons with fall risk and fracture risk associated with low bone mass; 4)
determine the effect of a targeted home-based exercise program in improving physical performance
and reducing fall risk in women with low bone mass or osteoporosis.
Participating Sites
Drexel University Physical Therapy Services
Publications Wang C-H, Kapila J, Rosage A, Smith S. Reliability of a Human Performance Test Battery for
Eventual Use with Persons with Low Bone Mass and Osteoporosis. JWHPT. 2009;33(1):19.
Smith SS, Wang C-H, Bloomfield SA. Osteoporosis. In: Durstine JL, Moore GE, eds. ACSM's
Exercise Management for Chronic Disease and Disability. 3rd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; In
Press.
Presentations Wang CH, Kapila J, Rosage A, Smith S. (Feb. 2009). Reliability of a Human Performance Test
Battery for Eventual Use with Persons with Low Bone Mass and Osteoporosis. APTA Combined
Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
2 Drexel University
College of Nursing & Health Professions
1505 Race Street Ms 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102
Kapila J, Silfies SP, Smith S. (Mar. 2007). Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change in Isometric
Trunk Extensor Strength Testing. Northeast Conference, American Society of Biomechanics,
University of Maryland, MD.
Contact Us If you are interested in learning more about the Osteoporosis Education and Exercise Projects,
please contact Dr. Sue Smith at 215.762.1758 or sue.smith@drexel.edu.
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