Prevention of orthopedic pathologies through a healthy lifestyle in women: a scoping review for the period 2014-2023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Orthopedic pathologies can be characterized as injuries, fractures, inflammations, infections and metabolic disorders that cause loss of bone mass, pain, stiffness or weakness in bones, muscles and joints, being more present in females. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such conditions, it is necessary for women to reinforce vitamin and mineral intake, through diet and pharmaceutical supplementation, in addition to establishing an exercise routine to strengthen the locomotor system. OBJECTIVE: to understand the influence of a healthy lifestyle on the prevention of orthopedic pathologies in women. METHODOLOGY: this is a scoping literature review with articles published between 2014 and 2023 in the SCIELO, PUBMED and LILACS databases. Combined descriptors were used in Portuguese and English, such as (“Doenças Ósseas”) AND (“Mulheres”) AND (“Prevenção”) and (“Bone Diseases”) AND (“Women”) AND (“Prevention”). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 12 studies were selected to compose this review. It was observed that dietary habits, especially total fat intake, protein consumption and the individual's BMI level, can be associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) levels. Furthermore, there was a divergence regarding the influence of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on the macro and microstructure of the female locomotor system. In addition, the adoption of a high or low intensity exercise routine by women is also a determinant of their bone-muscular-joint health. Regarding the other variables of the BMD indexes, the presence of the woman's endocrine profile and her adiposity were observed. CONCLUSION: A healthy lifestyle, consisting of a balanced diet with high protein intake, low fat intake, and regular physical exercise, of low to high intensity, can positively influence the prevention of orthopedic diseases in women, such as osteoporosis, sarcopeia, and joint diseases. Such lifestyle habits act especially in strengthening the macro and microstructure of bone and joints, helping to resist daily wear and tear. The relationship between vitamin and mineral supplementation and bone well-being is inconclusive, and additional studies are needed to obtain more information on this topic.