Osteoporosis Isn't A Life Sentence With Strength Training
Just moving around isn’t going to cut it in terms of reversing osteoporosis. People can be very active and still suffer from the dreaded condition. Meaningful exercise is required to deal with osteoporosis, and this means proper strength training.
"Strength Changes Everything" podcast co-hosts Brian Cygan and Amy Hudson explain how strength training improves every system of the body for the better, and this includes the skeletal system.
Strength training is key to preventing or reversing osteoporosis because it benefits the skeletal system in several ways:
- Increased strength helps to improve balance, prevent falls and lower the risk of bone fracture.
- Muscle acts as a shock absorber and helps protect the bones in the case of high-impact force.
- Meaningful strength training creates the metabolic stimulus required to release the hormones that benefit bone health.
Strength training for bone health needs to be site-specific and load-dependent to benefit the bones that need to be strengthened. There are a few exercises that should be prioritized to strengthen bones, typically movements that address the hips, legs and lower back.
The good news is that these benefits apply to both the prevention and reversal of osteoporosis.
Building stronger bones takes time, and strength training is the lead domino that improves balance, strength and bone density. To learn more, listen to "Strength Changes Everything" episode 43.
