How does exercise help with Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by low bone density, which makes bones weak and prone to fractures. While there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are treatments available that can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of fractures. One such treatment is exercise.

Exercise has been shown to be an effective way to improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures in people with osteoporosis. In this blog post, we will review the evidence for exercise-based treatment for osteoporosis.

So, how does exercise help?

Exercise can help to slow the progression of osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fractures in several ways. First, weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or jogging, places stress on the bones, which stimulates bone formation. Second, resistance exercise, such as weightlifting, can help to increase bone density by placing stress on the bones and muscles. In essence, any type of load-bearing exercise can help.

Studies supporting exercise-based treatment for osteoporosis

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of exercise-based treatments for osteoporosis. A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that exercise interventions were effective in improving bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The review included 18 studies with a total of 1,236 participants, and the authors concluded that exercise interventions could be used as a first-line treatment for osteoporosis.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that a 12-month exercise intervention improved BMD in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study included 253 women who were randomly assigned to either a group that received a supervised exercise intervention or a control group. The exercise group participated in weight-bearing and resistance exercises three times a week for 12 months. The authors concluded that exercise interventions could be used to improve BMD and reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Another study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in 2017 found that high-intensity resistance and impact training improved BMD and bone strength in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study included 101 women who were randomly assigned to either a group that received a high-intensity resistance and impact training intervention or a control group. The exercise group participated in supervised exercise sessions three times a week for 8 months. The authors concluded that high-intensity resistance and impact training could be an effective way to improve bone strength and reduce the risk of fractures in women with osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Exercise-based treatments can be effective in improving bone density and reducing the risk of fractures in people with osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise have both been shown to be effective in improving bone density and reducing the risk of fractures.

At EP360, we have over 15 years of experience in helping to design and implement programs that can assist in reducing your risk of fractures and helping to improve your bone mineral density. Send us an email at care@ep360.com.au to book your complimentary discovery call to find out how we can help you!