Osteoporosis and exercise

, which makes the bones susceptible to fracturing (breaking). In United States, around half of all women and one third of over 60 years of age have osteoporosis. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis because the hormonal changes of make bone loss worse.

People with existing osteoporosis can also benefit from exercise. This is because a sedentary lifestyle (little exercise) encourages the loss of bone mass.

Exercising regularly can reduce the rate of bone loss and specific types of exercise can improve bone health. and improve your balance. Exercise can also slow the rate of bone loss, which reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis.

Exercise also brings other benefits to people who have osteoporosis or want to prevent osteoporosis. These include reduced need for some medications that can contribute to the risk of falls, and better management of other health problems. A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, poor balance and weak muscles increase the risk of fractures.

A person with osteoporosis can improve their health with exercise in valuable ways, including: better mood and vitality. or health care professional before you decide on an exercise program. Factors that need to be considered include: whether improving bone density or preventing falls is the main aim of your exercise program.

A combination of weight-bearing impact loading, aerobic and muscle-building (resistance) exercise is best, together with specific balance exercises. Exercises that are good for people with osteoporosis include:

• using free weights such as dumbbells barbells elastic band resistance
• body-weight resistance or weight-training machines exercises to improve posture
• balance body strength
• such as tai chi

Ideally, weekly physical activity should include something from all three groups. and water exercise (such as aqua aerobics or hydrotherapy) are not weight-bearing exercises, because the buoyancy of the water counteracts the effects of gravity.

However, exercising in water can improve your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. People with severe osteoporosis or kyphosis (hunching of the upper back) who are at high risk of bone fractures may find that swimming or water exercise is their preferred activity.

Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional

However, for people who are otherwise inactive, walking may be a safe way to introduce some physical activity. A person with osteoporosis has weakened bones that are prone to fracturing.

They should avoid activities that: require a forceful twisting motion, such as a golf swing, unless the person is accustomed to such movements. The exact amount of exercise required for people with osteoporosis is currently unknown.

However, guidelines suggest: weight-bearing impact loading exercises a minimum of three days per week – each session should contain 50 impacts resistance training two to three times per week– each session should include two to three sets of five to eight exercises balance exercises – minimum three sessions a week to accumulate at least three hours of any type of progressive and challenging balance activities.

For safety reasons, always make sure you can hold on to something if you overbalance stretching exercises to promote flexibility. Please consult with a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist for further advice.

Regular exercise is an essential part of any osteoporosis treatment program

See your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Physiotherapists and other exercise professionals can give you expert guidance.

Always start your exercise program at a low level and progress slowly

Exercise that is too vigorous too quickly may increase your risk of injury, including fractures. Also, consult your doctor or a dietitian about ways to increase the amount of calcium, vitamin D and other important nutrients in your diet.

They may advise you to use supplements

, which are bad for your bones. Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium and other minerals from a person’s bones men menopause A nutritious diet including calcium-rich foods and regular exercise Most bone fractures occur because of a fall. You can reduce your chances of falling by exercising to build your muscle strength Benefits of exercise for people with osteoporosis reduction of bone loss improved bone mass conservation of remaining bone tissue improved physical fitness improved muscle strength improved reaction time increased mobility better sense of balance and coordination reduced risk of bone fractures caused by falls reduced pain Deciding on an exercise program for people with osteoporosis Always consult with your doctor, physiotherapist, exercise physiologist your age the severity of your osteoporosis your current medications your fitness and ability other medical conditions such as cardiovascular or pulmonary disease , arthritis , or neurological problems Recommended exercises for people with osteoporosis weight-bearing, impact loading exercise such as dancing resistance training Swimming and water exercise for people with osteoporosis Swimming Walking for people with osteoporosis Even though walking Exercises that people with osteoporosis should avoid involve loaded forward flexion of the spine such as abdominal sit-ups and toe touches increase the risk of falling require sudden, forceful movement, unless introduced gradually as part of a progressive program The best amount of exercise for people with osteoporosis You need to continue your exercises over the long term to reduce your chances of a bone fracture Professional advice for people with osteoporosis Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Physiotherapist Healthy Bones United States Jean Hailes for Women’s Health .

Key Points

• Women are more likely to have osteoporosis because the hormonal changes of make bone loss worse
• because a sedentary lifestyle (little exercise) encourages the loss of bone mass
• Exercise can also slow the rate of bone loss, which reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis
• Exercise also brings other benefits to people who have osteoporosis or want to prevent osteoporosis
• sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, poor balance and weak muscles increase the risk of fractures