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Low bone density is a risk factor for athletes

Posted October 29, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: His Fitness, Strength Training, His Health, Physical Health, Lifestyle Health, His Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Diets

A University of Missouri study suggests that athletic men may be at risk for low bone density. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, “osteoporosis affects more than 2 million men in the United States and nearly 12 million more have osteopenia-- clinically significant low bone density that is less severe than osteoporosis.” The study now suggests that men who engage in low-impact forms of exercise have a higher incidence of osteopenia.

Pamela Hinton, an associate professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Missouri’s College of Human Environmental Sciences claims that “Regular, non-weight-bearing activities, such as swimming and cycling are effective measures for preventing the leading risk factors for death and disability in our society, but the results of this study suggest that regular weight-bearing activities, such as running, jogging, or rope jumping, are important for the maintenance of healthy bones.”

Researchers measured the bone density of male cyclists and runners ages 20-59 years old. Sixty three percent of the cyclists were found to have osteopenia of the spine and the hip, compared to nineteen percent of the runners in the study. The cyclists also had lower bone mineral density of the entire body, especially the lower spine.

Cyclists were also seven times more likely to have osteopenia. One of the factors may be because low bone density in males often remains undiagnosed and inadequately treated and, after suffering a fracture, men are less likely to receive follow-up care than women.

The key to preventing osteoporosis and osteopenia is in a healthy lifestyle. In men and women alike, risk factors include low weight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and lack of exercise. If you engage in low-impact forms of exercise, such as cycling, substituting jogging or weight lifting may lower risk of lowered bone mass. Diet is a very important factor as well. According to Eugenie Jones, “When it comes to diet, your best chances for meeting your nutritional needs are found in foods like fish (especially canned fish with bones you can eat like salmon and sardines), oysters, low-fat dairy products, tofu, dark green leafy vegetables (kale, collards, broccoli) and whole-wheat bread.” Each of these foods contains the proper amount of vitamins and minerals that are essential to healthy bones.

One last factor to consider is age. Even though the risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia greatly increases with age, you should not think that you are not at risk because you are young. People have their own unique risk, especially if you have a family history of low bone mineral density. Talk to your doctor about screening needs, make sure you eat a proper diet, and get plenty of weight-bearing exercise.

Research sources and for more information: [Kitsapsun.com]; [medical news today]; [picture]

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Tags: age, athletes, bone density, calcium, cycling, diet, exercise, jogging, low mineral bone density, non-bearing weight activities, osteopenia, osteoporosis, risk factors, vitamin d

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