Health and Wellness
Exercise Vital to Building, Keeping Strong Bones
Without strong bones, a condition called osteoporosis can develop. Bones become porous and break easily, causing pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and, possibly, death. One out of three women over age 50 will experience bone breaks caused by osteoporosis, as well one in five men.
The organization issued a report called Move It or Lose It. Here are some highlights:
- Bone is living tissue. It is always renewing itself. To do so requires regular stimulation from physical activity. Like muscles, bones must be used regularly or they will deteriorate.
- Weight-bearing and high-impact exercise is required to stimulate new bone formation. This type of exercise can include dancing, walking, jogging, sports, and strength training. Riding a bike and swimming are not generally considered weight-bearing exercise for bone health.
- Exercising during middle age can help prevent bones in your back from weakening or developing fractures (small breaks) when you get older.
- Women who sit for more than nine hours a day are more likely to break a hip.
- In teen girls, the bone tissue built up during the ages of 11-13 just about equals the amount of bone lost during the 30 years following menopause. Encourage all children to drink plenty of milk (low-fat milk is a good choice to get bone-building calcium) and exercise.
Used with permission from www.health-eheadlines.com, © 2005 Write On, Inc.
