By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS When we think of exercises that keep us strong and healthy, we often picture walking, lifting weights, or stretching. But did you know that something as simple as jumping can be one of the best things you can do for your bones? Why Bone Density Matters Our bones are...
By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS The Truth About Midlife Strength: It’s About Health, Not Vanity As we enter our 40s and 50s, our bodies begin to change — sometimes dramatically. Muscle mass decreases, metabolism slows, bone density decreases, and aches and pains become more noticeable. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause only accelerate these...
By Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT The hormonal decline resulting from the menopausal transition (ie: perimenopause) is characterized by detrimental impacts on health including: increased cardiometabolic risk factors (insulin resistance, Type II diabetes, increased central adiposity, weight gain), reduced mental and physical health (depression, loss of lean muscle mass, reduced bone density and increased...
A common question we receive in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy practices is in regards to the safety of exercise when diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Some patients will ask, “Am I causing more damage by practicing yoga?” The answer is no! In fact, not only has yoga been shown to be...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we utilize the latest research findings to help patients achieve their goals. Over the last few years we have successfully utilized the findings on utilization of weight training to improve bone density among at risk groups such as patients diagnosed with osteopenia, osteoporosis, as well...
It is well known that cycling is considered to be a highly beneficial sport for enhancing cardiovascular fitness, yet studies show little or no corresponding improvement in bone mass. Previous articles have shown that athletes who participate in non-weight bearing sports such as cycling or swimming (and do not also perform concurrent weight bearing exercise)...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we commonly receive questions on the benefits of exercise on bone density. High intensity resistance training and impact training have been shown to improve indices of bone strength in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (Watson et al. 2018). High intensity resistance training and...
Strength or resistance training targeting the major muscle groups of the body is recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine for all adults a minimum of 2 days per week. Loss of muscle and bone mass over time can have significant functional and health consequences in the transition to older adulthood. Because of the...
An estimated 40% of women and 13% of men over 50 years old will have at least one fracture due to osteoporosis (decreased bone density) in their lifetime. Areas that are most susceptible to fracture include the spine and hip bones. The incidence of fractures increases with age and particularly after menopause, as the protective...