Many people are educated with the vast variety of benefits that exercise brings for one’s overall health, such as the prevention of obesity, reducing risk of stroke and heart disease, increasing energy levels, and helping with memory and overall brain health – the list goes on. However, most people still don’t understand the importance of regular exercise in that it helps build and maintain healthy bones. Read on to understand why physical exercises are so important for the building of strong bones.

As people age, bones can often become very fragile and weak – a condition known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis often occurs in men at an older age, and in women after menopause. This bone-thinning disease puts individuals at higher risk for broken bones, which will ultimately limit one’s mobility and independence.

Physical activity is fundamental for building strong and healthy bones when we are younger, and it is vital for maintaining strong bones as we get older. A bone is a living tissue and so just like a muscle it will become stronger through physical exercise. Like muscles, bones will also change in the response of having force placed upon them and therefore if one exercises regularly, their bones will adapt by becoming denser and by building more cells.

Balance and coordination also becomes more essential as our bodies get older, which is another thing that physical activity helps with, in order to prevent any accidents such as broken bones from the result of falling.

Check out the article below that provides appropriate exercises for each age group. Different age groups require different exercises which will help aid in the growth and maintenance for healthy and strong bones.

 

Couple walking strong bones

 

1. Children and young adults

“Childhood, adolescence and early adulthood up to the mid-20s, when the skeleton is growing, are the time for building strong bones.

Young people aged 5 to 18 are advised to do vigorous-intensity activities that strengthen muscles and bones on at least 3 days a week.

Examples of muscle and bone-strengthening activities include:

Under 5s not walking

  • tummy time
  • active play
  • crawling

Under 5s walking unaided

  • climbing
  • walking
  • jumping
  • running games” …