Bones Benefit from Exercise at Any Age

Older women trying to protect their bones and prevent fractures could benefit from exercise. A Finnish study of 160 elderly women randomized half to group instruction on exercises to improve balance and strength, while the other half did not get this intervention. During the 7-year follow-up period, more of the women in the control group were hospitalized with a fracture. Five of the women in the control group suffered hip fractures, compared to none in the exercise group. In addition, the exercising women were ten times less likely to die during this follow-up period. The authors suggest that elderly women with weakened bones, termed osteopenia, should be encouraged to exercise daily.
[Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept.27, 2010]