After the age of 40, we lose 0.5% to 1% of the bone mass in our skeleton each year. A diagnosis of osteoporosis means that bones have weakened to the point where they could break from a simple fall.<\/strong><\/p>\n Osteoporosis affects about 1.4 million Canadians. One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will have a fracture due to osteoporosis at some point, often caused by a fall. Fractures can lead to other health problems and loss of function, or independence.<\/p>\n As a bone health researcher, I know that everyone loses bone mass and muscle strength as they age, starting as early as their 30s or 40s. By the time we get to an age when we start to notice, or have health problems, it is harder to gain the muscle or bone back. We are not even sure that it is possible to replace lost bone with exercise once it is gone. We do know that it is possible to build muscle size and strength, even if we start later in life. And certain types of exercise have been shown to prevent falls by up to 40%. That\u2019s why everyone should do some strength training a few times a week, and challenge their balance every day.<\/p>\n Each of us is different. We each need to choose an exercise program that fits our needs, our lifestyle, and our abilities. Start by talking with a health care provider, such as a certified exercise physiologist.<\/p>\n Bone FitTM<\/sup> is an exercise training workshop designed for physical therapists, kinesiologists and community exercise professionals. They learn effective and appropriate exercises for people with osteoporosis. You can find a Bone Fit-trained physiotherapist or kinesiologist\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been working with Osteoporosis Canada and a team of talented students at the University of Waterloo to create a set of free<\/strong> educational tools called \u201cToo Fit to Fracture.\u201d The tools can help you develop an exercise program. They include:<\/p>\n About the Author<\/span><\/em> Click Here for print PDF file –\u00a0 Active Living Too Fit to Fracture – Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New tools to help aging bones By: Lora Giangregorio, PhD After the age of 40, we lose 0.5% to 1% of the bone mass in our skeleton each year. A diagnosis of osteoporosis means that bones have weakened to the point where they could break from a simple fall. Osteoporosis affects about 1.4 million Canadians. … Continue reading Too Fit to Fracture, Part 1<\/span> Building muscle and maintaining bone health<\/h2>\n
Getting started<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nNew resources from Osteoporosis Canada<\/h2>\n
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\nDr. Lora Giangregorio<\/span><\/strong> is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. She is also the Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging. Her research program focuses on strategies to reduce the risk of fracture, and increase physical activity and mobility in older adults. Lora translates her research into practice by working with government and non-profit organizations and linking with community-based programs. She collaborated with Osteoporosis Canada to develop the Too Fit to Fracture exercise recommendations.<\/p>\n