Introduction: Physical activity can influence indices related to bone homeostasis and balance in elderly individuals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ten weeks of Tabata resistance training on the expression of bone-related genes sclerostin (SOST) and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and balance indices in obese elderly women.



Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 28 overweight or obese elderly women with a mean body mass index of 30 ± 5 kg/m² and a mean age of 60 ± 5 years were randomly assigned to either a control group or a Tabata resistance training group (n=14 each). The training group performed Tabata resistance exercises for ten weeks, three sessions per week, with each session lasting 45–60 minutes. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and after the intervention to assess the expression of SOST and DKK1 genes using Real-Time PCR. Balance, muscular endurance, and walking performance were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test at a significant level of p<0.05.



Results: Tabata training intervention significantly reduced the expression of SOST and DKK1 genes in the training group compared to the control group (p=0.001)(p=0.001). Also, a significant increase in balance, upper body and lower body muscular endurance and aerobic endurance indices was observed in the Tabata training group compared to the control group (respectively; (p=0.011)(p=0.029)(p=0.020)(p=0.047).



Conclusion: These results suggest that Tabata resistance training may be considered an effective exercise approach in physical activity programs for this population.