This week, the LA Times reported on a study that showed the higher incident of early onset of osteoporosis in cyclists due to its non-impact nature. Your bones get stronger and rebuild themselves in response to impact. Cyclists may be fit, but by removing this bone growth cycle plus possible calcium leeching from sweat, those using the bike as their only form of exercise increase their risk of bone fractures even at an early age.
The article says:
“You don’t achieve peak bone mass until your late 20s,” says Debra Bemben, co-author of the more recent study and an associate professor in the health and exercise science department at the University of Oklahoma. “If cyclists are in their early 20s and they’re not doing anything else for exercise that’s going to load their spine and help them achieve peak bone mass, it may put them at risk if they fall, since they’ll have a greater chance of fracture. This is a pretty important health issue.”
The non-impact nature of cycling is one of the best things about it. I can ride for hours but am pretty sore after about an hour of running. It appears this advantage has its draw backs when taken to an extreme.
So train to run a 5 or 10 K, hit the weight room occasionally, or do a triathlon. Your bones will be glad you did.
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Wouldn’t this by extension mean that a good majority of Americans would also have osteoporosis from living a sedentary lifestyle?
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
I think the issue is the combination of high fitness and non-impact. You are fit enough to do other active things but don’t have the residual bone strength. Plus bike crashes can be much higher impact. Also, note the calcium deficiencies caused by sweat. I think all these things make for a osteoporosis cocktail.
Sedentary adults aren’t going to have the calcium leeching and due to their heft are probably doing OK one stressing their bones for re-growth. Now their joints on the other hand . . .
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
My doctor recommended I take OsCal-D (calcium supplement) along with lifting weights.
on Apr 5th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
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on Apr 21st, 2009 at 9:36 am
Combat Osteoporosis with Calcium and Magnesium
The risk of osteoporosis factors in when you are female and older. Nutritional supplements can help you avoid osteoporosis, no matter what risk factors you may have.
Calcium and Magnesium work together and if you add in exercise you’ll build bone even better.
Supplements need to be taken throughout your lifetime. Women who are in postmenopausal and do not take calcium supplements lose approximately 2% of bone mass per year. Taking 1,000 to 1,600 mg of calcium supplement a day decreases this rate to 1%, and reduces bone fractures by 50%!
Unless magnesium is also present in your body, you may be simply excreting the calcium supplement you are taking. Magnesium plays as much a role in bone density as calcium. Magnesium will act as a bonding agent that binds calcium, fluorine and other important minerals to build bone. Take a daily maximum amount of magnesium, at least 350 – 400 mg a day is suggested for healthy bones.
Do something about osteoporosis before it dose something to you. Drugs for osteoporosis are not miracles. These drugs have harmful side effects and limited benefits. The best medicine for this potentially crippling condition is prevention by taking supplements.
Tristen Thomas