Friday, February 17, 2012
Ask the Doctor: Consider Odd-Impact Exercises
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A bone density test showed that I have osteopenia.
When I looked on the Internet, I found information that said walking would have no effect on osteoporosis or osteopenia.
It said odd-impact exercises would be beneficial.
What in the world are odd-impact exercises?
I go to the gym three days a week, doing some cardio, light weightlifting and using the ball and strengthening bands. - L.H.
ANSWER: Osteopenia is not osteoporosis, but it’s only one short step away from it.
Odd-impact exercises are ones that have an effect on the entire circumference of bones.
They incorporate motions in many directions to achieve that effect.
For example, walking forward, backward and sideward is odd-impact exercise.
Soccer, tennis, handball, racquetball and step aerobics are considered odd-impact sports activities.
Weight-bearing exercise has long been advocated for building strong bones.
Walking is a weight-bearing exercise.
Your bones are supporting your body weight.
Keep walking.
Keep doing your cardio (heart) exercises.
I’m sure weight-bearing takes place in many of those exercises.
Resistance exercises (the use of weights - barbells and dumbbells) are a definite plus for building stronger bones.
So are exercises employing strengthening bands.
You’re doing fine with what you are presently doing.
Mixed-loading exercise - the combination of various exercises like jogging, walking and stair-climbing - is another exercise said to get the entire bone involved and often is recommended for bone strengthening.
Don’t neglect taking calcium and vitamin D.
The message should be much more important than the messenger but still people just don’t read or take the responsibility of independent thinking. It seems more important to know who said it, to be on the “right” side. I don’t like bullies. I don’t care for people telling others what they should and should not say or how to say it. That’s my right, my opinion. Don’t have any problem signing my name to this but for now I’ll just use…
To Not Me,