Men can increase bone density by lifelong physical activity
University of Missouri researchers have determined that men who are physically active continuously by indulging in high impact activities, such a jogging and tennis during young adulthood, not only build muscle and shed weight but also have greater hip and lumbar spine bone mineral density than those who do not.
The study was published in the American Journal of Men’s Health.
‘While osteoporosis is commonly associated with only post-menopausal women, it is, in fact, a serious issue for men as well,’ said Pamela Hinton, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences.
‘Indeed, research has shown that the consequences of osteoporosis can be much worse for men, as they are less likely to be diagnosed and are at a greater mortality risk from fractures that occur as a result of a fall,’ she says.
Hinton’s research found that exercise-associated bone loading during adolescence and young adulthood benefited bone density in adulthood. Hinton also found that high-impact activity during growth and adulthood is an important determinant for bone health later in life.
‘The most important take-away is that if you are healthy, it is never too late to begin high-impact activities or resistance training to improve bone mineral density,’ Hinton said.
She further added, ‘While activity during skeletal growth is significant, we also saw positive associations between such physical activity and bone density at all ages. So even middle-aged men who spent their teenage years sitting on the couch could see benefits from beginning a bone-strengthening exercise program.’
Middle-aged men who never did much physical activity during younger days will also benefit if they begin to be continuously physically active.
