According to a study to be published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism physical activity has a positive effect on bone formation in premenopausal women.
Bone tissue is always changing due to hormonal changes and physical activity, or lack thereof. “Physical activity is good for bone health…” said Mohammed-Salleh M. Ardawi, PhD, FRCPath, professor at the Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research and Faculty of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia and lead researcher for this study. Researchers followed a group of women during an eight week course of physical activity training and compared them to a control group and found a strong correlation between increased bone strength and activity.
“Physical activity training is conceptually simple, inexpensive, and can serve practical purposes including reducing the risk of low bone mass, osteoporosis, and consequently fractures,” said Ardawi. “Our study found that even minor changes in physical activity were associated with clear effects on serum levels of sclerostin, IGF-1 and bone turnover markers.”
Keep in mind physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean the gym. We still have a few weeks (or months?) of lovely weather to take advantage of. Head outside on your lunch break today and try my favorite quick strength program. These weight bearing exercises help build strong muscles and bones.
Squats
Lunges
Push ups
Dips
Walk to the park then time yourself for three rounds of 30 to 60 seconds of each of these head back to your office feeling like a champ!