Strength training builds more than muscles and prevents Osteoporosis

August 26, 2024News

It is common knowledge that strength training is essential to building strength and muscle mass. However, what many of us don’t know is that having stronger muscles results in stronger bones, thus reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis – a health condition that weakens bones causing them to fracture more easily.

Bones become more fragile as they get older, and it is mainly caused by a series of age-related changes such as inactivity and insufficient nutrition which cause bone masses to decay at a rate of 1% per year at the age of 40. This can result in serious injuries from even the tiniest stress.

According to an article by Harvard Health Publishing, approximately 2 million men and 8 million women in the US suffer from Osteoporosis. It is responsible for more than 2 million fractures each year. The same article also stated that hip injuries are the most serious cases with 6 out of 10 people who break their hip never fully recover.

Numerous studies have concluded that strength training plays a crucial role in slowing bone loss. Some of them have even shown that it can help with building stronger bones. Activities that stress the bones like weight exercise, walking, or running can cause the bone-forming cells into action, resulting in stronger and denser bones. Strength training, in particular, targets the bones of the hips, spine, and wrists in order to enhance strength and stability. That can boost confidence, encourage you to stay active and reduce fractures another way — by cutting down on falls.

Source: www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/strength-training-builds-more-than-muscles