Cyclists More Likely To Have Bone Loss

[The Straight Story]

Cyclists More Likely To Have Bone Loss
Riding A Bike Helps Heart, Not Bones

Cycling is considered a good, safe exercise because it does not cause much impact on sensitive joints such as the knees and the hips.

But that quality also means that it does not stimulate bones to maintain their density, according to a report cited on RunnersWorld.com.

It said that the study showed that serious cyclists who rode seven to 22 hours a week for an average of nearly 10 years had lower body fat, more muscle and took in more calcium than a control group.

But they were also 2.5 to thee times more likely to have osteoporosis or near-osteoporosis.

http://www.clickorlando.com/health/18477406/detail.html#-

[DCKit]

1. Cycling vs. Couch-Surfing?

I'm thinking the cyclists have higher bone density and who wants a joint replacement?

[The Straight Story]

2. Maybe we can have a couch we can cycle

I am willing to test it out :)

[Ron Green]

3. When I was in the bicycle business

a rather large segment of my customers were ex-runners who had trashed their knees, hips and ankles. Cycling gave them a way to keep going out on the road, and I don't believe they were facing any serious bone-density issues by doing so.

[renate]

4. it's because cycling isn't weight-bearing

And it's weight-bearing exercise that reduces bone loss.

So it's not as though cyclists increase their risk of osteoporosis by cycling--it's that they cycle in lieu of weight-bearing exercise. Like the article says, some weight-lifting or weight-bearing exercise will help.

Thanks for passing this along, TSS!

[Hawkowl]

5. Cross Train

Simply lift some weights twice a week and that should help stave off osteo loss.

[The Straight Story]

6. Is a large pizza with extra cheese and meat considered weight lifting?

;)

[gratuitous]

7. Winner

Either lifting weights, or doing a little road work with one's feet. Don't depend on just one form of exercise to meet all your health needs. Mix it up, work different muscles in different ways, and promote overall health.

[Marr]

8. My cousin had serious bone loss in a single day from cycling.

Two fingers on his left hand, gone. Bad mountain biking accident. That probably doesn't count.

[Swamp Rat]

9. "2.5 to thee times more likely to have osteoporosis" than who?... Do they live in outer space?

Cyclists walk and lift things - experience gravity - on a daily basis like everyone else.

During my bicycle racing days, I used to ride in addition to other exercises, like most of my cycling friends. The one thing we noticed when comparing ourselves to other athletes is that we could eat one or two pizzas in a sitting and not gain an ounce.

[FarCenter]

10. Cyclists also more likely to have skin loss

[Shiver]

11. Crap

I'm gonna lose my bones now...