Not many years ago most women had misconceptions about
exercising, particularly when it came to strength training also known as
weight lifting. They thought lifting weights would cause them to
develop bulky muscles. Well, that concept is changing today as women are
starting to realize the benefits of strength training to their overall
health and well-being especially when it comes to preventing
osteoporosis and low bone density.
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system characterized by gradual loss of bone mineral density that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans probably have osteoporosis, and another 24 million have low bone density or a condition called osteopenia which places them at a high risk for developing the disease.
An interesting fact that most people don't know is that the conditions of their bones essentially parallels the conditions of their muscles. Thus, weak muscles are associated with weak bones and strong muscles are associated with strong bones. Therefore, osteoporosis is a condition that can be greatly mitigated by strength training.
Strength training is the most effective way to build muscle size and strength. As muscles become stronger in response to weight lifting, bones also improve in strength. Research that has investigated this relationship show that strength training can help maintain or increase bone mineral density in both men and women over the age of 50. More importantly, studies have shown significant increases in bone mineral density at the spine and the neck of the femur which is are common areas of fractures in older adults.
Results from a Tufts University study involving women ages 50 to 70 who engaged in a full year of strength training showed a 1 percent increase in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, whereas those who did not train experienced a 2 percent decline. Also, the women who strength trained experienced a 3 pound increase in muscle while those who did not lost 1 pound of muscle.
As you can see, there is convincing evidence that strength training can produce positive changes in bone mineral density that help provide some degree of protection from osteoporosis. Exercise professionals recommend that you lift weights two to three times each week in which you focus on the major muscle groups of your upper, and lower body for optimal results. So, if you want to have strong bones work on developing strong muscles.
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system characterized by gradual loss of bone mineral density that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans probably have osteoporosis, and another 24 million have low bone density or a condition called osteopenia which places them at a high risk for developing the disease.
An interesting fact that most people don't know is that the conditions of their bones essentially parallels the conditions of their muscles. Thus, weak muscles are associated with weak bones and strong muscles are associated with strong bones. Therefore, osteoporosis is a condition that can be greatly mitigated by strength training.
Strength training is the most effective way to build muscle size and strength. As muscles become stronger in response to weight lifting, bones also improve in strength. Research that has investigated this relationship show that strength training can help maintain or increase bone mineral density in both men and women over the age of 50. More importantly, studies have shown significant increases in bone mineral density at the spine and the neck of the femur which is are common areas of fractures in older adults.
Results from a Tufts University study involving women ages 50 to 70 who engaged in a full year of strength training showed a 1 percent increase in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, whereas those who did not train experienced a 2 percent decline. Also, the women who strength trained experienced a 3 pound increase in muscle while those who did not lost 1 pound of muscle.
As you can see, there is convincing evidence that strength training can produce positive changes in bone mineral density that help provide some degree of protection from osteoporosis. Exercise professionals recommend that you lift weights two to three times each week in which you focus on the major muscle groups of your upper, and lower body for optimal results. So, if you want to have strong bones work on developing strong muscles.
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