Exercise and Osteoporosis Prevention

Michelle Gray

Abstract

Osteoporosis is known as the “silent disease” because there are no outward signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is the leading cause of fracture among older adults and increases mortality and morbidity rates. Exercise interventions reduce fracture-risk; however, different types of exercises produce different results. Based on findings, daily physical activity, walking, running, resistance, and power training all promote BMD development. Yet, resistance training may be most effective of exercise interventions. More specifically, high-velocity resistance training leads to greater increases in BMD than traditional resistance training and results in fewer injuries than power training.