This type of exercise helps treat osteoporosis in women over 65 years of age.
osteoporosis This disease affects a large percentage of women over 65 years of age in Argentina, with approximately one in four women suffering from the disease. Traditionally, people with osteoporosis have been advised to exercise lightly and avoid intense exercise to prevent possible bone fractures. However, recent research has shown that exercising with heavier weights can provide significant benefits to those suffering from this condition.
Previous opinion suggested that lifting light weights was the safest option to avoid complications in weakened bones. However, Kendall Moseley, director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, questioned this view. According to Moseley, most studies show that maintaining an active lifestyle helps stabilize bone mineral density, emphasizing exercise in particular.
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A recent study looked at 101 people over 65 with low bone mass, many of whom were diagnosed with osteoporosis. These people were divided into two groups: one carried out exercises supervised low load and density while the other performed weight lifting under medical supervision. After 8 months, results showed that those who performed the heavier weight exercises had a significant increase in spinal bone density compared to the group who performed the lower load exercises, which continued to lose bone strength.
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The mechanism of this phenomenon is associated with the ability of bone to respond to stress created by exercise. When bones are subjected to heavier loads, microbending occurs which stimulates osteocytes, activating osteoblasts to form more bone tissue. This process helps strengthen bones and is similar to the healing mechanism of broken bones.
In addition to increasing bone density, the study found other benefits for people with osteoporosissuch as reducing the risk of fractures, strengthening the bones of the hip and spine, reducing the risk of falls and generally increasing bone mass.