[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/exercise-for-osteoporosis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/exercise-for-osteoporosis\/","headline":"Exercise for Osteoporosis","name":"Exercise for Osteoporosis","description":"A bone-weakening disorder, osteoporosis affects millions of older adults. Learn how exercise can help strengthen your bones to prevent fractures.","datePublished":"2015-05-26","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","name":"UPMC Orthopaedic Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/orthopaedic-surgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/elderly-woman-exercising.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/elderly-woman-exercising.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/exercise-for-osteoporosis\/","about":["Fitness","Orthopaedics"],"wordCount":484,"keywords":["fractures","muscle-strengthening exercise","osteoporosis","osteoporosis exercises","Pilates","weight-bearing exercise","yoga"],"articleBody":"A bone-weakening disorder, osteoporosis affects millions of older adults, mainly women. With this disease, your bones are thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge, making them easy to break, or fracture.Fractures in the wrist, spine, and hip are commonly seen with this condition. Unfortunately, these injuries can severely impair your mobility and independence.Fracture PreventionTo help reduce your risk of suffering from these life-altering fractures, UPMC’s experts may recommend that you exercise. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed, exercising can help maintain the bone mass you have.Your doctor will help you find the safest, most enjoyable exercises for you given your overall health and amount of bone loss. There are two types of exercises that are important for building and maintaining bone density:Weight-bearing exercisesMuscle-strengthening exercisesWeight-Bearing Exercises for OsteoporosisDuring weight-bearing exercises, your feet and legs support your body’s weight. These exercises can be high-impact or low-impact.High-impact weight-bearing exercises help build bones and keep them strong. If you have broken a bone due to osteoporosis or are at risk of breaking a bone, you may need to avoid high-impact exercises. If you’re not sure, you should check with your doctor.High-impact weight-bearing exercises include:AerobicsHikingJogging\/runningJumping ropeStair climbingTennisLow-impact weight-bearing exercises can also help keep bones strong and are a safe alternative if you cannot do high-impact exercises. Examples include:Using elliptical training machinesUsing stair-step machinesFast walking on a treadmill or outsideMuscle-Strengthening Exercises for OsteoporosisThese exercises, also known as resistance exercises, include activities where you’re working against the weight of another object. Examples of muscle-strengthening exercises include:Lifting weightsUsing elastic exercise bandsUsing weight machinesLifting your own body weightYoga and Pilates can also improve strength, balance, and flexibility. However, certain positions may not be safe if you have osteoporosis. For example, exercises that have you bend forward may increase the chance of breaking a bone in the spine.Starting a New Exercise ProgramIf you haven’t exercised for a while, check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program, particularly if you know you have bone loss or osteoporosis.Remember, weight-bearing exercise does not have to be high-impact. Running, jogging, and jumping may put stress on your spine and could lead to fractures in weakened bones. If you already have bone loss, choose low-impact activities like walking, dancing, and gardening.If you already have osteoporosis, be careful of exercises that involve bending and twisting at the waist like sit-ups, toe touches, and rowing machines. This motion can put you at risk of fracture.Once you have your doctor’s approval, begin slowly. As you get started, your muscles may feel sore for a day or two after you exercise. If soreness lasts longer, you may be working too hard and need to ease off."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Exercise for Osteoporosis","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/05\/exercise-for-osteoporosis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]