Extracts from an article by Henry Bodkin 2019
Men should favour weight lifting and running over cycling in order to preserve their bones, scientists have said after a study suggested brittle bone disorders are more common than previously thought.
Scientists measuring the bone density of men and women between the ages of 35 and 50 found 28 per cent of men showed precursor signs of osteoporosis, compared to 26 per cent of women.
The results are surprising because the debilitating condition, which affects around three million people in the UK, is more commonly associated with women than men.
The University of Mississippi researchers said many of the males in the study had been keen cyclists, but that this non-weight-bearing form of exercise does nothing to improve bone density.
The 173 participants were scanned at the femoral hip and lumbar spine while being exposed to a light dose of radiation to establish bone mineral density (BMD). BMD peaks at around 30 years of age which means young adults who do not form strong bones are at an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life, the research team said.
“We typically associate loss of bone mineral density with post-menopausal women, but our findings showed elevated risk in younger men,” said Dr Martha Bass, who led the research.
“Almost all participants who were found to have osteopenia were surprised and I think this is a more prevalent issue than anyone expected.”
Dr Bass said the best way to maintain BMD is through weight-bearing exercises, like walking, running and jumping, while moderate weight lifting is also beneficial.
She added that while a balanced diet is always important, patients may overestimate the value of calcium in maintaining bone health.
“Calcium plays a larger role when bones are still developing,” said Dr Bass.
“After that, the body begins to rely on weight-bearing exercise to keep bones strong.
It really does boil down to use it or lose it.”