The good news is, there is plenty you can do now to reduce the risk of bone-related problems down the line. Read ahead for a few exercises for ageing bones you can perform regularly to keep you and your bones healthy! Weight-bearing and resistance are key It is widely accepted that to increase bone health, we need to stress the bones of the skeleton. The best way to do this is through weight-bearing exercises (i.e. exercises performed in an upright position with our legs impacting the ground). Resistance-type exercises are also beneficial in protecting the skeleton against the effects of ageing. ‘Resistance’’ implies an exercise that is performed against a force acting on the body. A simple example would be to compare walking through your house to walking through strong head-on winds. The wind pushing against the body is the resistance aspect. When we exercise, forces acting on our muscles help to build strength. The forces placed upon the skeleton through the muscles help to activate special bone-building cells within the bones, and these help to maintain or build strength in the bones depending on the intensity of the exercise. In order to increase bone strength, we need to regularly push our bodies beyond the intensity of simple everyday tasks, like walking. Age is a factor Now, if you’re worried, we’re going to suggest a new gym membership and intense weight lifting program, then rest easy. There are lots of things to consider, and age (as well as medical history) is a big factor when it comes to prescribing exercise. Someone who is 80 will need a different exercise regime compared to someone who is 55 when it comes to targeting bone health. Exercises to try The following are simple weight-bearing exercises you could have a go at doing:
You can add resistance to your exercise program by:
Everyone has different requirements, so we suggest giving us a call on 03 9499 9456 so we can create an individual a program that is perfect for you. References
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