BackgroundRegular physical activity and proper nutritional intake are crucial for bone health. However, it is unclear if this health benefit is maintained after the removal of these stimuli. This study investigated the combined effects of aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation, followed by their subsequent cessation on bone metabolism markers and antioxidant status in females.MethodsForty-eight young female college students were assigned into four groups: i) 16S (16 weeks of sedentary activity); ii) 8E×8S (8 weeks of exercise followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity); iii) 8H8S (8 weeks of honey supplementation followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity) and iv) 8E×H8S (8 weeks of combined exercise and honey supplementation followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity). Blood samples were collected from the participants prior to the intervention, at week 8 and at week 16 for the analysis of bone metabolism markers and antioxidant status.ResultsAt the mid test, bone speed of sound (SOS) (P< 0.01), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P< 0.001) and serum osteocalcin (P< 0.01) were significantly higher in the 8E×H8S group as compared to 16S group. After 8 weeks of cessation of exercise and honey supplementation, bone SOS was also significantly higher (P< 0.001) in the 8E×H8S group as compared to 16S group. In addition, the serum total calcium (P< 0.001), serum ALP (P< 0.01), total antioxidant status (TAS) (P< 0.01) and glutathione (GSH) (P< 0.01) in the 8E×H8S group were significantly higher at the post-test as compared to their respective pre-test values.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that there was improved maintenance of the beneficial effects induced by 8 weeks of combined exercise and honey supplementation on bone properties and the antioxidant status after 8 weeks of cessation of exercise and honey supplementation as compared to exercise and honey supplementation alone.