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Exercise and your bones

Exercise can benefit the bone mineral density which is a good thing - especially in older women who are prone to osteoporosis. However, you have to keep it up to maintain the benefits.......

The beneficial effects of exercise on BMD are lost after cessation: a 5-year follow-up in older post-menopausal women

This study investigates whether the positive effects on bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and neuromuscular function following a combined weight-bearing program are sustained in older women, a longer period after cessation of training. Thirty-four women (18 exercisers and 16 controls) aged 73–88 years, who completed a 12-month randomized-controlled trial, were invited to a 5-year follow-up assessment of BMD and neuromuscular function. Both groups sustained significant losses in BMD of the femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle during the follow-up period. Significant losses were also seen in all neuromuscular function tests. The inter-group change was, however, significant only for maximal walking speed where the exercise group had a significantly greater loss. In conclusion, this study suggests that gains in bone density and neuromuscular functions achieved by training are lost after cessation of training. Continuous high-intensity weight-loading physical activity is probably necessary to preserve bone density and neuromuscular function in older women.
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Comments

Rannoch Donald said…
Great stuff Chris.

Another case of use it or lose it. All the more reason to train consistently for year round for health.

I've met a number of people recently who seem to "peak and trough" their training based on events (Ironman, triathalon etc) the downside is as soon as there is no event on the horizon their training loses all structure and things simply slide.

Consistent, scaleable, measurable & fun. That's the way to go.
May 28, 2008 at 2:14 AM
Dr Craig S. Duncan said…
Hey Chris your blog gets better and better. The area of BMD and exercise is interesting and realy the best form of prevention is to ensure we maximise peoples peak bone mass which is achieved by approx age 20. I ahve published a cople of papers in this area and osteoporosis is a disease that is better prevented rather than to try to use exerise once the problem has shown itself.
May 28, 2008 at 7:10 AM
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