Rec League Sports May be Better at Building Strong Bones Than Weightlifting
Higher intensity physical activities like handball and soccer boost biomarkers for bone formation The post Rec League Sports May be Better at Building Strong Bones Than Weightlifting appeared first on Nautilus .
Recent research published in Sports Medicine – Open suggests that recreational sports leagues may be more effective at improving bone density than traditional weightlifting. Researchers from Semmelweis University in Hungary analyzed 24 clinical studies involving 1,238 healthy adults, examining the impact of high-intensity and lower-intensity exercises on bone mineral density.
While most studies did not directly measure bone mineral density, they did record osteocalcin levels, a protein linked to bone formation. High-intensity sports like handball and soccer, which involve rapid direction changes and explosive movements, were found to significantly increase osteocalcin levels, indicating stronger bones.
In contrast, lower-impact activities such as walking, resistance training, and step aerobics did not show a significant effect on bone metabolism. The study's lead author, Viktória Barna, expressed surprise that resistance training did not produce a notable impact on bone markers, despite professional guidelines recommending it for bone health maintenance.
The researchers caution that individuals with cardiovascular issues, musculoskeletal problems, or osteoporosis should consult a doctor before making significant changes to their exercise routines. However, they emphasize that any form of exercise is beneficial, and even lower-intensity activities offer numerous health advantages.
Written by urgent.news from Nautilus's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
